A Descriptive Study of Typhoid Fever Cases Among Patients Between 2-14 Years of Age at Shah Amanullah Ghazi Hospital in 1404

Abstract

Background and Objective: Typhoid fever is an important infectious disease in areas with limited access to safe water and sanitation, and children are among the high‑risk groups. This study aimed to describe the demographic, seasonal, and clinical characteristics, disease severity, laboratory findings, and complications of typhoid fever among children admitted to Shah Amanullah Ghazi Hospital.

Methods: In this descriptive case series, medical records of 68 patients under 14 years of age diagnosed with typhoid fever and admitted to the hospital in 1404 were reviewed using census sampling. Data on demographics, clinical signs and symptoms, laboratory results, disease severity, and complications were extracted from the records. Diagnoses were based on documented clinical assessments and available tests, including blood, stool, and urine cultures and PCR. Data were analyzed descriptively using frequencies and percentages.

Results: Of the 68 patients, 13 (19.1%) were aged 2–5 years, 38 (55.9%) were aged 5–10 years, and 17 (25.0%) were aged 10–14 years; the highest proportion was in the 5–10‑year age group. Seasonal distribution showed the most cases in summer (28 cases, 41.2%), followed by spring (24 cases, 35.3%), and the fewest in winter (3 cases, 4.4%). Disease severity was mild in 26 patients (38.2%), moderate in 32 (47.1%), and severe in 10 (14.7%). Complications included pneumonia in 4 patients (5.9%), diarrhea in 7 (10.3%), hepatitis in 6 (8.8%), and relapse in 4 (5.9%); 47 patients (69.1%) had no complications. Among 40 patients tested by PCR, 30 (75.0%) were positive and 10 (25.0%) negative. Of 15 patients who underwent blood culture, 10 were positive and 5 negative.

Conclusion: In this case series, typhoid fever was most common among children aged 5–10 years and during summer, with moderate severity being the predominant category. Various complications, including diarrhea, hepatitis, pneumonia, and relapse, occurred in a subset of patients. These findings may help characterize the demographic and clinical patterns of pediatric typhoid at this hospital and support planning of appropriate diagnostic and management strategies.