Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Acute Flaccid Paralysis in Children Admitted to Shahid Motahari Hospital, Urmia, Iran (2016–2024)

Abdi, Alireza; Salavatizadeh, Mohammd; Ebrahimi, Najmadin

doi:10.61882/JBUMS.32.4.295

Volume 32, Issue 4 (Winter 2026) Journal of Translational Medical Research. 2026, 32(4): 295-304 | Back to browse issues page

‎ 10.61882/JBUMS.32.4.295

Research code: 13706

Ethics code: IR.UMSU.REC.1404.103

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Abdi A, Salavatizadeh M, Ebrahimi N. Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Acute Flaccid Paralysis in Children Admitted to Shahid Motahari Hospital, Urmia, Iran (2016–2024). Journal of Translational Medical Research. 2026; 32 (4) :295-304
URL: http://journal.bums.ac.ir/article-1-3555-en.html

Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Acute Flaccid Paralysis in Children Admitted to Shahid Motahari Hospital, Urmia, Iran (2016–2024)

Alireza Abdi¹

, Mohammd Salavatizadeh ^*²

, Najmadin Ebrahimi³

1- Department of Pediatric Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
2- Department of Pediatric Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran , salavatizadeh.m@umsu.ac.ir
3- School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran

Abstract: (744 Views)

Background and Aims: Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) is a key indicator in poliomyelitis surveillance. With global polio eradication, identifying non-polio causes of AFP is increasingly important. This study aimed to determine the clinical characteristics, final diagnoses, and hospital outcomes of pediatric AFP cases admitted to Shahid Motahari Hospital, Urmia, Iran, from 2016 to 2024.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective, descriptive, and analytical study included all children under 18 years diagnosed with AFP and recorded in the national surveillance system. Data collected included age, gender, fever, hospitalization duration, final diagnosis, special medical interventions, and discharge outcomes. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software (version 26), applying Fisher’s exact test with a significance level of P<0.05.
Results: A total of 280 patients were analyzed (mean age: 9.8±3.8 years). The highest incidence (58.2%) occurred in children aged 6-12 years (P<0.001). The most common cause was Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) (66.4%). Age distribution was significantly correlated with diagnosis (P<0.001), whereas gender showed no correlation in this regard (P=0.385). The mean hospital stay was 12.8±9.1 days, being significantly longer in botulism cases (P<0.001). Only 6.4% required special interventions. At discharge, 88.2% achieved complete recovery, 5% showed no improvement, and the mortality rate was 0.7%.
Conclusion: GBS remains the predominant non-polio cause of AFP in children. Despite variations in hospital stay, most patients achieved complete recovery with supportive care. The low mortality rate highlights effective management and surveillance. Strengthening laboratory capacity and implementing long-term follow-up are recommended to enhance the sensitivity of AFP surveillance.

Keywords: Acute flaccid paralysis, Botulism, Children, Guillain–Barré syndrome, Myasthenia gravis, Transverse myelitis

Full-Text [PDF 589 kb] (163 Downloads)

Type of Study: Original Article | Subject: Neurology
Received: 2025/10/13 | Accepted: 2025/05/5 | ePublished ahead of print: 2025/12/17 | ePublished: 2026/02/20

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