Analysis of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome in Paediatric Patients: Clinical Profile, Etiology and Outcomes in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Nuh, Haryana
Abstract
Introduction:-Acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) is a major public health concern in India,particularly among the pediatric population. Understanding the clinical profile,etiological spectrum,and outcomes of AES in children is essential for timely diagnosis,targeted management,and effective public health interventions.This study aims to retrospectively analyze pediatric AES cases in a tertiary care center in Nuh,Haryana,to elineate their clinical presentation,causative agents,and treatment outcomes.
Methods:-This retrospective observational study was conducted in Department of Pediatrics at Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati Government Medical College,Nuh, Haryana after obtaining ethical approval from Institutional ethical committee.Medical records of children aged 1 month to 14 years,admitted with a diagnosis of AES from August 2024 to February 2025,were reviewed.AES was defined according to the World Health Organization criteria.Information regarding demographic data,clinical features,laboratory parameters,neuroimaging findings,treatment modalities,and outcomes were collected.Frequency and percentage were used for data analysis.
Results :-A total of 75 pediatric patients with AES were included in the study.The majority were under 5 years of age (66.7%),with a male-to female ratio of 1.14:1.Fever & altered sensorium were universal symptoms (100%),followed by seizures (90.7%) & vomiting (37.3%).Etiology was identified in 59 cases(78.7%),with scrub typhus (20%),pyogenic bacterial meningitis (16%),and viral encephalitis (9.3%) being the most common.CSF examination was performed in 68 patients,showing pleocytosis in 77.9%,elevated protein in 70.6%, and low glucose in 52.9%.Neuroimaging was performed in 45 patients,with cerebral oedema being the most common abnormality (46.7%).ICU admission was required in 74.7% of patients,and 33.3% required mechanical ventilation.Full recovery was observed in 33.3% of patients.
Keywords: Acute Encephalitis Syndrome, Paediatrics, Scrub Typhus, Outcomes, Meningoencephalitis, Haryana
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202601
How to cite this article:
Khichar B, Dhingra A, Gautam S P. Analysis of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome in Paediatric Patients: Clinical Profile, Etiology and Outcomes in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Nuh, Haryana. J Commun Dis. 2026;58(1):1-8.
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