Scrub Typhus in Children

Authors

  • Madiha Zainab Department of Paediatrics, Vivekananda Institute of Medical Sciences, Kolkata
  • Atul Kumar Gupta Department of Paediatrics, Vivekananda Institute of Medical Sciences, Kolkata
  • Suparna Guha Department of Paediatrics, Vivekananda Institute of Medical Sciences, Kolkata

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v38i1.18659

Keywords:

rickettsia, re-emerging infection, multisystem involvement

Abstract

Introduction: Scrub typhus is an acute febrile illness caused by infection with rickettsial bacilli Orientia tsutsugamushi. This was a retrospective observational study to study the clinical profile of paediatric scrub typhus, its associated complications and response to treatment

Material and Methods: Record files of all patients diagnosed with positive Weil felix (OXK>1:80) and Scrub IgM positive over a period of one year were analysed. Total of 10 cases were diagnosed as scrub with median age of presentation 4.1 years.

Results: Fever was present in all followed by pain abdomen (50%), rash. Anaemia (90%), lymphadenopathy (70%) hepatomegaly (100%), Leukopenia was present in those cases with fever <1 week while leucocytosis was found thereafter. Most common complication were hepatitis (100%) shock (50%), acute kidney injury (AKI) 30%, DIC in 20% cases. Secondary HLH was found in 20% and pancarditis in one case. All the cases showed dramatic response to doxycycline.

Conclusion: So a high index of suspicion is required to diagnose scrub and early initiation of treatment is essential to prevent mortality from the disease.

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Author Biographies

Madiha Zainab, Department of Paediatrics, Vivekananda Institute of Medical Sciences, Kolkata

Post graduate trainee

Atul Kumar Gupta, Department of Paediatrics, Vivekananda Institute of Medical Sciences, Kolkata

Head of Department

Suparna Guha, Department of Paediatrics, Vivekananda Institute of Medical Sciences, Kolkata

Associate Professor

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Published

2018-11-19

How to Cite

Zainab, M., Gupta, A. K., & Guha, S. (2018). Scrub Typhus in Children. Journal of Nepal Paediatric Society, 38(1), 59–62. https://doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v38i1.18659

Issue

Vol. 38 No. 1 (2018)

Section

Case Series

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