Publication:

Clinical profile and outcome of dengue fever in hospitalized children of South Rajasthan, India

Background Dengue fever is rising globally and also in India. Dengue can present with varied clinical manifestations. The mortality rate can be reduced by timely diagnosis, strict monitoring and proper fluid resuscitation.

Methods In this study children with positive dengue rapid test in the age group of 0-15 years were included. All cases were classified as WHO new case classification guideline and detailed clinical profile were recorded in proforma.

Results Out of 65 cases, males were 53% and females were 47% with maximum number of cases seen in the age group of 5-10 years (46%). We reported children with dengue without warning signs (23%), dengue with warning signs (64%), and severe dengue (12%) of cases. Fever was observed in all cases. Myalgia and headache was most common symptom followed by mucosal bleed. Hepatomegaly was observed in 90% of cases. Only one case had central nervous system involvement. Lab parameters include raised hematocrit (84%), thrombocytopenia (80%) and leucopenia (44%). Crystalloids were used in (76%). Colloids were not used. Blood products were required in 5 cases. No mortality was observed in our study.

Conclusions Children in the age group of 5-10 years were most commonly affected. Early diagnosis with rapid test, dengue case classification by revised WHO guideline, strict monitoring, appropriate fluid management and judicious use of blood product have yielded a fruitful outcome.