ABSTRACT
Background: With advent of EPI and UIP, most of the vaccine preventable diseases have shown a decline; however, Diphtheria continues to remain an endemic disease and has also shown resurgence nationally as well as internationally. Aims and Objectives: To study Diphtheria morbidity and mortality trends. To note variation with respect to age, sex, immunization status, seasonal variation and outcome. Materials and Method: A retrospective analysis of hospital records over the period of 3 years from Jan/2008 to Dec/2010 obtained with permission of hospital superintendent Dr. Jhala from infectious disease hospital in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Details of 247 cases regarding age, sex, immunization status were taken as per the hospital case records. Results: Of 247 cases, 114 were male (46%), 133 (54%) Females, 71 (29%) were under 5 Years, 103 (42%) were in 6 – 12 years and 35 (14%) were in 13- 20yrs, 38 patients (15%) were noted within 21-60yrs group, a total of 73 (29.5%) patients were observed in adult and adolescent group. Mortality was 0.47%. Incidence was more in months of September to March. In the present study, 85 (34.4%) were completely immunized, 31 (12.55%) were partially immunized and for 18 (7.3%) vaccination status was unknown. 113 (45.75%) were not immunized. Conclusion: Diphtheria continues to remain a major public health concern in spite of being a vaccine preventable disease, though common in pediatric age it is increasingly common in adoloscent and adults. High level of clinical suspicion needed to keep the mortality rates on lower side. A strict implementation of vaccination programmes with follow up booster dose is necessary which will increase the herd immunity, leading to decrease in diphtheria prevalence.