THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CEFTRIAXONE AND MEROPENEM IN THE TREATMENT OF ENTERIC FEVER IN CHILDREN- EXPERIENCE IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN PAKISTAN

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of ceftriaxone and Meropenem in the treatment of Enteric Fever in the Pediatric Department of Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the Department of Child Health Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar Pakistan from June 2020 to June 2022. The sample size included 392 patients. Keeping in view 392 blood samples were taken and sent for blood culture. Both positive and negative cultures were incorporated in the study. The patients were started empirically on ceftriaxone and then in case of no response, the patients were shifted to Meropenem based on the sensitivity of the culture report. The response was defined as when the patient is afebrile for 72 hours after the treatment and the absence of complications like peritonitis, intestinal hemorrhage, and obtundation.  Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21.0.   RESULTS: In our study, out of 392 patients, 64% were males while 36% were females. Among blood cultures sent, 16.8% were positive and 83.2% were negative. Among the culture positive, 10.5% of patients were sensitive to Meropenem, 3.6% were sensitive to ceftriaxone and 2.8% were sensitive to other drugs. 60.7% of patients responded to Meropenem. Ceftriaxone-responsive patients were 11.7%, while 27.6% showed a response to other drugs. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of Meropenem was significantly high (in 2/3rd patients) while Ceftriaxone showed 11.73% efficacy. KEYWORDS: Enteric fever, ceftriaxone, Meropenem