Epidemiological Patterns and Risk Factors of Typhoid Fever in Pediatric Populations

Introduction: Typhoid fever remains a significant public health concern, particularly in pediatric populations in developing countries. Accurate diagnosis and timely intervention are crucial for the effective management of the disease, which is often influenced by various socioeconomic and environmental factors. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological patterns and risk factors associated with typhoid fever in the pediatric population. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Community Pediatrics, in Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, Dhaka, from January 2022 to January 2023. The study included a total of 110 pediatric patients diagnosed with typhoid fever based on clinical presentation and confirmed through blood culture. Patients were selected by the Purposive sampling technique. Result: In this study of 110 pediatric patients with typhoid fever, the median age was 7 years, with the highest incidence in the 5–10 years age group. Prolonged fever (96.4%), abdominal pain (60%), and diarrhoea (55.5%) were the most common clinical presentations, with complications like hepatosplenomegaly and cholecystitis observed. The majority of patients came from low-income households (56.4%), and significant risk factors included incomplete vaccination (78.2%), poor sanitation (71.8%), and lack of access to clean water (62.7%). Notably, 63.6% of Salmonella Typhi isolates were multidrug-resistant, highlighting concerns regarding treatment efficacy. Conclusion: This study highlights the significant burden of typhoid fever in pediatric patients, particularly those aged 5 to 10 years, primarily from low-income households. The findings reveal a strong association between the disease and factors such as poor sanitation, lack of access to clean water, and incomplete vaccination coverage. Additionally, the high prevalence of multidrug-resistant Salmonella Typhi strains poses treatment challenges.