Electrocardiographic pattern of typhoid fever in children

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Typhoid fever is a significant global health concern, particularly affecting children.
• Cardiac involvement, including electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities, can occur in pediatric typhoid fever.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and nature of ECG changes in children diagnosed with typhoid fever.
• To determine the temporal pattern of ECG abnormalities and their resolution during treatment.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 87 children aged 2.5 to 14 years with confirmed typhoid fever was studied.
• Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were performed on admission and monitored throughout their hospital stay.
• Statistical analysis was used to assess the frequency of ECG changes and their correlation with clinical factors.

Main Results:

• 62.0% of children with typhoid fever exhibited ECG changes.
• Sinus tachycardia and left ventricular hypertrophy were the most common findings.
• Most ECG abnormalities appeared within the first week and normalized by the second week of treatment.
• No significant differences in ECG patterns were observed based on sex, age, or nutritional status.

Conclusions:

• Electrocardiogram abnormalities are common in pediatric typhoid fever.
• These cardiac changes are generally transient and reversible with appropriate management.
• Routine ECG monitoring may be beneficial for children with typhoid fever to detect and manage cardiac complications.