Clinical Study on Typhoid Fever in Children

Chang, Seh Young; Lee, Sang Yun; Lee, Woo Gill; Park, Chong Moo

Abstract

We studied clinically 109 caseu of typhoid fever in children, who were hospitalized in the Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University Hospital for 5 years from January 1975 to December 1979. The results are as follows: 1) There were no specific differences have been noted in the annual incidence. 2) The highest incidence was noted in the summer season, which comprised of more than half of the total number of cases(52.3%) In whole of year, however, 11.9 percent noted in the winter Season. 3) The incidence of the disease was more in males are as compared to females, the respective percentage being 67 and 33. 4) The highest incidence was in the age group of 5~10 years, in percentage of 52.3. 5) The duration from onset to admission within 1 week were 55cases(50.5%), and from 1 week to 2 weeks were 33 cases(30.3%). The majority of cases admitted within 2 weeks. 6) The chief complaints on admission were fever(95%), abdominal pain(51%), anorexia (31%), nausea and vomiting(26%), and headache(25%). On physical examination, fever(95%), hepatomegaly(77%), injected throat(61%), bradycardia(27%), abdominal tenderness(18%), splenomegaly(21%) were noted. There was no rose spot. 7) The laboratory findings were as follow: Leukopenia was noted about Ilpercent, anemia was noted about 22 percent, however, no cases of Hgb level less than 8gm% was noted. In bacteriologic cultures, there were 35. 690 in blood culture and 6.6% in stool culture. There was no positive case in urine culture. In Widal test, there was 76.8% of positive result in 112 test cases. The percentage of positive cases were increased according to the duration of illness. 8) Complicated or associated diseases were 11% of total cases, in which majority were hepatitis and pneumonia. 9) In sensitivity test to antibiotics against organism isolated from blood culture, the most sensitive antibiotics was carbenicillin, followed by chloramphenicol, streptomycin, and ampicillin, Concerning annual variation of sensitivity to chloramphenicol and ampicillin, the sensitivity to chloramphenicol was no annual variation noted, but the sensitivity to ampicillin was decreased from the year of 1976.