Abstract / Summary
Background: Non-traumatic acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) in adults is a neurological emergency characterized by rapidly evolving flaccid weakness and hyporeflexia. The condition has a diverse etiological spectrum, including neuroparalytic snake envenomation, hypokalemic periodic paralysis, Guillain–Barré syndrome, etc. Because many causes are treatable, early etiological diagnosis is crucial to reduce morbidity and mortality. However, the etiopathological profile of adult AFP varies geographically, and regional data are limited. This study was conducted to determine the etiological pattern and clinicopathological characteristics of non-traumatic AFP among adults in a tertiary care setting. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to describe different etiologies of non-traumatic AFP cases in the study population. To describe the clinical profile, demographic characteristics, and outcome of patients under study with non-traumatic AFP. Materials and Methods: This observational descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among all patients admitted with non-traumatic AFP over a time period of 1.5 years (January 2023–May 2024) in the Department of General Medicine and Critical Care Unit, Bankura Sammilani Medical College and Hospital, Bankura, West Bengal. Results: The most common etiology of non-traumatic AFP was neurotoxic snake envenomation (which was responsible for 41.6% of the cases), followed by hypokalemic paralysis (28.3%). This study shows that the majority (76.1%) of study subjects are from rural areas, and a substantial portion of AFP cases due to neurotoxic snake envenomation were from rural areas (89.1%). Conclusion: Non-traumatic AFP in our region is largely dominated by treatable and potentially reversible conditions, with neurotoxic snakebite being the leading cause.