Typhoid perforation of the ileum in children

Abstract

Introduction: The result of enteric involvement in typhoid fever is intestinal perforation. This is a serious situation requiring medical and surgical management. Intestinal perforation is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The authors report the first data on the management of this surgical complication of typhoid fever in a high-risk population. Setting and methods: This was a single-center, retrospective, descriptive study conducted on the paediatric population aged 0–15 years in the Savannah region of Togo over a 12-month period. Results: Typhoid perforation of the ileum accounted for 45.62% of nontraumatic abdominal emergencies in children. The patients were predominantly male, with a sex ratio of 1.41 and a mean age of 8.96 +/- 3.57 years. Primary therapy was noted in 77.78% of cases. The average consultation time was 13.46% +/- 3.93 days. Sixteen patients (16.16%) were admitted with septic shock. Perforations were multiple in 47.47% of cases. Sixty-nine patients underwent ileal resection. Fifty-four (54) patients developed complications and 12 died. Conclusion: Typhoid perforation of the ileum is common and is the main cause of acute generalised peritonitis in children in the savannah region of Togo. It is associated with a high morbidity and mortality rate, necessitating major preventive measures against typhoid fever.