RESUMO
Objective To analyze clinical and laboratory results of 38 children with brucellosis for providing theoretical basis for its clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods The epidemiology, clinical features, laboratory characteristics and therapeutic effect of pediatric patients at HulunBuir People's Hospital from January 2011 to December 2015, were retrospectively evaluated. Results Totally there were 38 child patients with brucellosis, 24 males and 14 females, 36 children had directly contacted with animals, and onset seasons were mainly in Summer and Autumn. The dominant manifestations were fever in 33 (86.8%), anorexia in 21 (55.3%), arthralgiaand myalgia in 17 (44.7%), hepatomegaly in 5 (13.2%), splenomegaly in 11 (28.9%), and lymph nodes enlargement in 10 (26.3%). Abnormal laboratory findings included elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level in 27 (71.1%) and erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) in 24 (63.2%). Both the Rose Bengal test and serum agglutination test (SAT) were positive in 37 patients, only one patient was negative but the blood culture was positive. After at least 12 weeks of combined, adequate and standardized treatment, there were 30 pediatric brucellosis patients cured, improved in 8 cases, the total effective rate was 100.0%. Conclusions In endemic regions, the presence of persistent fever, joint pain and hepatosplenomegaly should alert clinicians the possibility of brucellosis. Early diagnosis and treatment will reduce the incidence of complications.