Publication:

Thrombocytopenia and raised hematocrit-predictor in dengue hemorrhagic fever

Background This study evaluated the symptoms and routine laboratory investigation to arrive at a bedside diagnosis of dengue hemorrhagic fever and to predict the prognosis on the basis of clinical features and investigation.

Methods This was a prospective study and included children age up to 15 years admitted in the pediatric ward over 2 years period. Dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever were defined according to WHO guidelines.

Results Out of 90 Dengue positive children 44 (48.8%) were of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever. The common clinical features were fever (100%), bleeding (100%), and rash (84%). 100% children had thrombocytopenia and 36% had raised hematocrit.

Conclusions Triad of fever, bleeding tendencies and rash along with thrombocytopenia and raised hematocrit can be considered as predictive marker for the early diagnosis of dengue hemorrhagic Fever before the specific test like NS1 antigen and antibodies are available.