European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

In the western region of the state of West Bengal, it is difficult to diagnose enteric fever using blood cultures or even the Widal test. The best method to make a diagnosis and start treatment is with a high index of suspicion. In this setting, research into potential haematological alterations associated with enteric fever may offer the physician a critical clue for the early initiation of treatment and prevent further complications.
Aims: The goal of this study was to examine the haematological profile of children with Widal-positive enteric fever.
Method: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out at Bankura Sammilani Medical College and Hospital (BSMCH) from March 1, 2020, to August 31, 2021. The study population consisted of 120 children, aged 1 to 12 years, who were admitted to the children's ward with Widal positive enteric fever. A pre-designed questionnaire was used to collect the relevant information. The data was entered into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and analyzed with Epi Info (version 3.5.1) Software.
 Results: Anaemia (80%) was the most prominent haematological result in the current study. Raised ESR (65%), thrombocytopenia (28.33%), eosinopenia (23.33%), leucopenia (22.50%), erythropenia (20%), relative lymphocytosis (21.67%), neutropenia (17.5%), eosinophilia (5.83%), and leucocytosis (5.83%) were found in decreasing order. Leucocyte, platelet, haemoglobin, and ESR changes were all statistically significant (P-value = 0.000*). Changes in PCV, MCV, and MCH, with the exception of MCHC, were found to be statistically significant (P-value = 0.000*).
Conclusion: In the case of a 7-day fever with clinical features like anorexia, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain, a coated tongue, hepatomegaly, and headache, in addition to the aforementioned haematological changes, it may help the physician to initiate management of enteric fever without performing a serological test and testing for organism isolation via blood culture, which is not possible in remote areas