TY  - JOUR
TI  - Evaluation of Pediatric Cases with Suspected Rabies Exposure in the Pediatric Emergency Department
AB  - Aim: Rabies is a public health problem that can be prevented by vaccination and prophylaxis practices both in our country and in the world. It has a high risk of death if it cannot be prevented. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of children admitted to the pediatric emergency department of our hospital with the suspicion of rabies. Material and Methods: In this study, patients who applied to the Pediatric Emergency Department of Eskişehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine between January 2013 and June 2021 with contact with an animal with an animal at risk of rabies were evaluated retrospectively. Epidemiological and clinical features of 746 pediatric cases included in the study were evaluated. Results: 55% of 746 patients included in the study were male and the mean age was 102 months (4 months-216 months). 94% of the cases reside in the city and 6% reside in the countryside. There was cat contact in 54% and dog contact in 46% of the cases. Of the contact animals, 84% were stray and 89% were unvaccinated. While 82% of suspected rabies contacts were in category 2, 60% had upper extremity contact, and 21% had lower extremity contact. While wound cleaning was performed in all cases, rabies vaccine was administered to 99%, rabies immunoglobulin to 10%, tetanus prophylaxis to 32%, and antibiotic treatment to 21%. Immunoglobulin, antibiotics, tetanus prophylaxis, suturing and hospitalization were higher in the dog contact group than in the cat contact group. Compliance with the rabies vaccination schedule was high in both groups. Conclusion: Our study shows that the contact cases with suspected rabies are mostly with stray and unvaccinated animals, and precautions such as vaccination and housing of stray animals should be increased. Rabies, which is still a deadly public health problem for the whole world and for our country, can be prevented by vaccination, post-exposure prophylaxis practices, and community education.
AU  - KIZIL, MAHMUT CAN
AU  - Sahin, Sabiha
AU  - Kilic, Omer
AU  - Dinleyici, Ener Cagri
AU  - kara, yalçın
DO  - 10.54996/anatolianjem.1052024
PY  - 2022
JO  - Anatolian Journal of Emergency Medicine
VL  - 5
IS  - 3
SN  - 2651-4311
SP  - 139
EP  - 144
DB  - TRDizin
UR  - http://search/yayin/detay/1128983
ER  -