European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background: In the tropics, scrub typhus is a growing health risk. Acute meningoencephalitis, enteric fever, Kawasaki disease, and dengue can all have similar clinical characteristics. Early intervention and a high index of suspicion help to avoid mortality and morbidity. The preferred medications are Doxycycline or Azithromycin, both intravenous and oral. Aims and objectives: The aim of thepresent study was to present clinical manifestation, laboratoryfindings and treatment outcomes of pediatric scrub typhus ina tertiary care setting. Methods: The present study was prospective observational study. A total of 45 cases detected with positive for Scrub Typhuswere includedin the study. Study was conducted from May to October 2023 in the Department of Paediatric Medicine, RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Statistical data were analysed by using Microsoft Excel and SPSS V.20 software. Results: A total of 45 cases were detected to be positive for Scrub Typhus. Their age ranged from 1½years to 12 years, mean being 7 ½ years. There was no sex predilection, 21 (47%) were male and 24 (53%) were female. Fever was the chief complaint in all of them. During hospital stay, the average temperature recorded was 101ºF. Eighteen cases presented with exanthematous fever. The rash was erythematous maculopapular, mostly appearing in the limbs and sometimes over the trunk. Eschar was found only in ‘5’ cases case even after thorough searching. Other findings include organomegaly, generalized lymphadenopathy and constitutional symptoms. Conclusion :Scrub typhus do exist around Kolkata in the suburban and rural areas. Hence awareness is very important. They need to be detected early by high index of clinical suspicion and screening test followed by rapid onset of treatment by Azithromycin and Doxycycline.