Publication:

Role of early warning signs in children with severe dengue infection

Background The objective of the study was to evaluate and analyze the role of preceding early warning signs at admission in children with severe dengue infection.

Methods All children (0-12 y of age) diagnosed and confirmed as dengue fever admitted at a tertiary care hospital at Puducherry were retrospectively analysed from hospital case records as per the revised World Health Organization(WHO) guidelines 2009 for dengue fever. The data was analysed by descriptive statistics using SPSS 16.0 statistical software. Early warning signs were analyzed by logistic regression and a P-value of 20% with concomitant platelet 6 yrs, retro-orbital pain, palmar erythema, joint pain, splenomegaly, positive tourniquet test, right hypochondriac pain and epigastric tenderness.

Conclusions Early identification of the preceding warning signs, timely intervention and vigilant monitoring can reduce the morbidity and mortality in children with severe dengue infection. Since there were other clinical variables not enlisted as warning signs but were significantly associated with severe dengue infection, the list of warning signs in the revised guidelines needs to be expanded.