Enteric fever in childhood.

A detailed analysis of 117 cases of enteric fever in Nigerian children shows that fever, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea were the main presenting features. Disorders of sensorium occurred in 50%. Associated conditions and bizarre manifestations often delayed the diagnosis and this, coupled with complications such as intestinal haemorrhage and perforation, adversely affected the mortality which was 32% in this study.