Incidence of Typhoid Bacterimia in Infants and Young Children in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Open Access

Abstract

Background: Typhoid fever is a severe bacterial infection triggered by Salmonella Typhi, primarily spread via contaminated food and water. It frequently occurs in developing nations and primarily impacts young kids. Blood culture confirms the diagnosis, while prevention relies on hygiene, sanitation, and vaccination. This study evaluates the occurrence and clinical characteristics of typhoid in young children. Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional study, conducted in a hospital setting in Dhaka, Bangladesh (Jan 2024–Jun 2025), involved 150 children aged ≤5 years who had suspected enteric fever. Blood samples were obtained prior to antibiotic administration for culture and sensitivity testing following standard procedures and the Kirby–Bauer method (CLSI). Data analysis was conducted with SPSS v25, and the chi-square test was utilized (p < 0.05). Approval for ethical considerations and informed consent was secured. Results: Among 150 children, 28.0% (42/150) tested positive for typhoid, primarily S. Typhi (81.0%, 34/42). Age had a significant correlation with infection (p = 0.048), whereas sex did not (p = 0.46). Fever was widespread, accompanied by typical gastrointestinal symptoms. Ceftriaxone (95.2%) and azithromycin (90.5%) exhibited the greatest sensitivity. The majority recovered without issues (85.7%), however, complications were associated with prolonged hospital stay (>7 days) (p = 0.032). Conclusion: Enteric fever primarily impacted preschoolers, with S. Typhi being the most frequent isolate. Infection was significantly linked to age, whereas sex showed no association. Ceftriaxone and azithromycin proved to be the most effective, with the majority of cases recovering without complications.