A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF DIPHTHERIA AND ITS COMPLICATIONS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL,GGH, GUNTUR

Abstract

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To study clinical presentation and complication in diphtheria in pediatric agegroup. Retrospectively 25 clinical diphtheria cases who got admitted to the MATERIALS AND METHODS: isolation unit of Government General hospital from August 2021 to July 2022 were taken for this study. The epidemiological details, vaccination status, clinical prole, treatment given, and interventions done with outcome were studied. The RESULTS: common symptoms observed were throat pain seen in 20 cases (80%), fever seen in 18 cases (72%), dysphagia seen in 10 cases (40%), bull neck seen in 6 cases (24%), palpitations seen in 04 cases (16%), Nasal regurgitation in 02 (8%).Of the 25 patients, 5 (20%) patients had completed vaccination, 20 (80%) cases were either unimmunized or partially immunized as per their age. The complications observed were cardiac involvement evident through elevated serum transaminase and ECG changes seen in 06 cases (24%), neurological involvement seen in 04 cases (16%), renal failure seen in 02 cases (8%), Airway compromise 02 cases (8%). A total number of 8(32%) patients died with complications. Diphther CONCLUSION: ia incidence is relatively more in the age-group >5 years. The common symptoms are throat pain followed by fever, dysphagia, and bull neck. Common complications observed are myocarditis associated with high mortality, palatal palsy, renal failure, and Airway compromise. An increase in vaccination coverage is an effective preventive measure to reduce the incidence of diphtheria.