A study of diphtheria cases with special reference to neuropathy

Background: Diphtheria is an acute infection caused by Corynebacterium Diphtheria spreads by human contact. During 2007-2011, a total of 55 countries worldwide, reported >20,000 cases of Diphtheria and among them India reported the most cases (n=17,926).Objective: To study the frequency, clinical profile, progress and the outcome of neuropathy amongst Diphtheria cases. Methodology: A retrospective study of 26 patients who developed weakness following acute Diphtheria was done. Result: The incidence of Diphtheritic neuropathy in survived cases of diphtheria in our study was 29.8% (N-26/87). Maximum numbers of Children with neuropathy in this study were in the age group of 5-10 years (16/26) with median age of presentation being 7 years. The incidence is more in Male in our study (19/26). 25 out of 26 patients were partial/ unimmunized. All 26 children had features of bulbar palsy. Amongst them, 14 children had features of isolated palatal palsy. One child had unilateral lower motor neuron facial palsy and one had 6th cranial nerve involvement & Quadruparesis was seen in 4. Among these 26 patients, majority (19/26) of patients had received ADS during their hospital stay. Conclusion: Diphtheria is a vaccine preventable disease so, Routine vaccine administration, prompt diagnosis, early treatment, early administration of ADS and early recognition of complications and treatment of such will reduce associated morbidity and mortality.