Abstract

Background: Diphtheria is an infectious disease caused by “corynae-bacterium diphtheria” 1.It usually pharynx, tonsils, larynx or any of them in isolation or in combination. It can involve skin as well. In some case, infection can spread to trachea as well. One of its characteristic features is presence of a membrane, which is a pseudo membrane.

Aim: To determine the vaccination status and complications in patients admitted with diphtheria.

Place and duration: Emergency pediatrics department, diphtheria section for one year

Study design: Cross sectional, observation study.

Methods: All patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria will be admitted in emergency. All such patients are evaluated by junior consultant/senior registrar of emergency. He examines the patient and document his findings on the pre-designed proforma. Throat swab is taken for staining and culture sensitivity. Antidiphtheric serum is arranged according to the condition of the patient.

Results: In this study total 106 patients were included. Mean age of the patients was 7.97±2.99 with 46.2% male and 53.8% females. Patients admitted with the complaint of fever were 102(96.2%) and 69(65.1%) with sore throat. The most common examination finding in the patients was throat congestion in 58.5% and 52.8% had tonsillopharyngitis. Most of the complications noted were: Tracheotomy, arrhythmia, LV dysfunction, dysphagia and neuropathy. 20.2% had bull-neck.

Conclusion: It has a high rate of complications and high rate of mortality. Early use of anti-toxins are essential to prevent complications.

Keywords: Diphtheria, Corynaebacterium, Tonsillar membrane, Anti-diphtheric serum, Anti-diphtheric toxoid