Clinico-etiological and laboratory profile of infants with febrile illness: a retrospective analysis
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Date
2024-12
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Publisher
B.V.V. Sangha's S. Nijalingappa Medical College and HSK Hospital & Research Centre
Abstract
Background: Febrile illness in infants is a common and challenging presentation due to the broad differential diagnosis, including serious bacterial infections (SBIs) and viral causes. SBIs, especially UTIs, occur in 7-20% of febrile infants under three months, while viral infections like human herpesvirus-6 are also significant contributors. Despite existing research, gaps remain in understanding the full clinical and laboratory profiles of febrile infants. Our study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the clinico-etiological and laboratory profiles of infants presenting with febrile illness. Methods: Our retrospective study at Shridevi Institute of Medical Sciences, Tumkur, included 100 infants aged 1-12 months with a fever over 100.4°F lasting more than three days. Exclusions were patients leaving against medical advice and those with immunodeficiency, HIV, or malignancy. Data from Pediatrics records were collected using a validated proforma, covering clinical examinations and laboratory findings. Data analysis was performed with SPSS, presenting categorical data as frequencies/proportions and continuous data as mean/ standard deviation. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Our study analyzed 100 febrile infants aged 1-12 months, with 62% under six months, 53% female and 67% from rural areas. Respiratory tract infections (56%) and gastrointestinal infections (25%) were the most common causes. Fever, cough, and cold (64%) were the primary symptoms, with vomiting and diarrhea in 47%. Laboratory findings showed a median hemoglobin of 10.9 g/dL, with elevated CRP in 23% of cases, indicating infection or inflammation. Culture sensitivity was positive in 55.2% of tested cases, aiding targeted therapy. Conclusion: Our study effectively identified respiratory and gastrointestinal infections as the primary causes of febrile illness in infants, with significant clinical and laboratory findings, including elevated CRP levels and culture positivity, underscoring the need for targeted diagnosis and treatment in this vulnerable population.
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Keywords
Clinico-Etiological Profile, Laboratory Investigations, Febrile Illness, Retrospective Analysis
Citation
Gani Shreeshail S, T A Sowndarya, Pattar Mounesh, S Roopashree . Clinico-etiological and laboratory profile of infants with febrile illness: a retrospective analysis . Medica Innovatica. 2024 Dec; 13(2): 52-56