A STUDY OF COMPLICATIONS OF SCRUB TYPHUS IN CHILDREN AT A TERTIARY HOSPITAL OF UTTARAKHAND

Chaube D.*, Bhat N. K., Rawat A. and Chandar V.

ABSTRACT

Objective: Present study aims to evaluate the complications of scrub typhus in children admitted to Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Dehradun; a tertiary hospital situated in terai belt of Uttarakhand State in India. Method: Seventy nine children diagnosed with scrub typhus fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were analyzed in this cross sectional study. The diagnosis was confirmed by IgM ELISA test. The study was carried out over a period of one year. Results: The 79 subjects had a male female ratio of 1.9:1; fifty three (67.09%) resided in rural area while 26 (32.91%) resided in urban area. Most of the patients presented during the monsoon season. The common complications observed were meningitis (30.38%), severe thrombocytopenia (26%), pneumonia (20.2%), shock (3.8%), ARDS (3.8%), pleural effusion (3.8%) and myocarditis (1.27%).There were 3 deaths with an overall mortality of 3.8%. Conclusion: This study will help the clinicians in early diagnosis of scrub typhus and related complications. Meningitis is observed to be more common complication of scrub typhus in the present study. The study provides clue for timely interventions and thus prevent life threatening morbidity and mortality. Advanced and extensive research on this life threatening disease is required to decrease the burden on health facilities.

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