Etiological Profile of Children Admitted With Fever Without Focus for Less Than 7 Days Duration at Tertiary Care Center

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to know about the etiology of acute undifferentiated febrile illness (AUFI) or fever without focus in children admitted at tertiary care hospital. Methods: A study was conducted at medical college, Jhalawar, for a period of 3 months. Pediatric patients presenting with fever for less than or equal to 7 days duration without focus, who required hospitalization were included in this study. Results: A total of 200 children enrolled in study. Male-to-female ratio was 1.9:1. Mean age of children was 7.21±4.2 years. About 142 (71%) patients presented after 3 days of fever. Average duration of fever before admission was 4.62±1.78 days. The most common cause of fever of short duration (less than 7 days) was dengue fever 74 (37%) followed by malaria 58 (29%) and typhoid fever 36 (18%). About 26 (13%) patients had mixed infection. Out of 200 patients, 70 (35%) patients had splenomegaly, 66 (33%) had hepatomegaly, and 26 (13%) patients had both hepatosplenomegaly. Conclusion: The common etiology of AUFI with short duration in children was dengue, malaria, and typhoid. Vector control measures, drinking water supply, and sanitation should be improved to prevent vector-borne and water-borne diseases.

A study on acute undifferentiated febrile illness in children (Age 2 Months to 18 Years)

“…On clinical examination, out of 200 patents enrolled in our study, 151 (75.5%) patients had no specific clinical findings except fever, 41(20.5%) patients had Pallor, 27(13.5%) had Splenomegaly, 6(3%) patients had Icterus, 7(3.5%) patients had Rashes and 9(4.5%) had Hepatomegaly as clinical signs. In study done by Nagar R et al, 10 found that 28% cases had Pallor and 35% cases had Splenomegaly. In another study done by Desari R et al, 4 found 3.1% had Splenomegaly.…”

“…On Gender basis it was found that, out of 200 patients enrolled, 117{58.5%} were Males and 83{41.5%} were Females (ratio M:F =1.4:1). In a study done by Nagar R et al 10 found that out of 200 cases, 132 (66%) were Males and 68 (34%) were Females (ratio M: F=1.9:1). One of the possible reasons for having male predominance in vector borne diseases could be more outdoor activity done by male subpopulation.…”