Clinico-epidemiological profile of children presenting with febrile illness

Abstract

Abstract

Objective: To identify the clinico-epidemiologic characteristics, bacteriological profile, and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in children presenting with febrile illnesses in a tertiary care setting. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics, Services Hospital Lahore, from September 2024 to December 2024. A total of 180 children aged 1 month to 12 years with fever (≥38°C for >72 hours) were included using non-probability consecutive sampling. Blood cultures were processed for pathogen identification and antimicrobial susceptibility. Demographic data, host risk factors, hygiene practices, and clinical outcomes were analyzed using SPSS v.21. Results: The mean age was 3.08 ± 3.58 years, and 53% of participants were male. Vaccination was complete in 57%, incomplete in 36%, and absent in 7%. Malnutrition (24%) was the leading comorbidity. Enteric fever was the most common diagnosis (33%), with Salmonella Typhi as the predominant pathogen. Blood culture positivity was 34%, with S. Typhi (52%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12%) being the most frequent isolates. Resistance to commonly used antibiotics, including ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin, was noted. S. Typhi showed high sensitivity to meropenem (93%). Conclusion: Febrile illnesses in children, predominantly caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens, emphasize the need for targeted empiric therapy and strengthened vaccination programs. Improved hygiene practices, early diagnosis, and rational antibiotic use are essential for better outcomes and combating antimicrobial resistance.
Keywords: Febrile illness, Salmonella Typhi, antimicrobial resistance, pediatric sepsis, blood culture.