Typhoid fever is a life-threatening systemic infection occurring in developing countries like India. The presenting signs and symptoms of typhoid fever in children differ from adults. Some studies indicate reemergence of sensitivity of Salmonella with chloramphenicol.
164 children between 1-12 years of age with suspected enteric fever were enrolled in the study. Out of these, 73 patients were diagnosed as enteric fever and clinical features were compared among different age groups. Antibiotic sensitivity profile was also studied in blood culture positive patients.
Abdominal distension were significantly more commonly seen in children less than 5 years while nausea, constipation and blood in stool were completely absent in this age group. Abdominal pain and headache were significantly more in children more 5 years than compared to it younger group. The sensitivity for classical drugs Chloramphenicol, Ampicillin and Cotrimoxazole was found to be 70%, 80% and 47.5%, respectively. Conclusion: Clinical profile of enteric fever in children differ with age. There is re-emergence of sensitivity of Salmonella typhi for chloramphenicol, ampicillin and Cotrimoxazole in blood culture.