Publication:

A study on the clinical features of dengue virus infected pediatric patients

Background Dengue fever is currently the most important arthropod borne viral disease. During recent outbreaks in India, the clinical manifestations which were shown by the patients were slightly different from those in previous years. The present study was done to analyze the clinical features of all pediatric cases admitted for dengue to three tertiary care teaching hospitals in eastern India, to facilitate early treatment and better outcome.

Methods A direct history and clinical examination-record based descriptive study was conducted on pediatric patients admitted with signs and symptoms suggestive of dengue fever to two hospitals in West Bengal and one in Bihar, during the period between January 2016 and December 2017. The data obtained were analyzed with correlative studies.

Results Total 200 patients of Dengue viral infected pediatric patients were included in the study. All these 200 children presented with fever. 126(63%) children had myalgia and arthralgia, 111 (55.5%) had headache, 58 (29%) presented with gastrointestinal infections, 51 (25.5%) had rash and 26 (13%) had hemorrhagic manifestations. Features of shock were present in 14 (7%) children, retro-orbital pain in 13 (6.5%) children and generalized swelling in 9 (4.5%) children.

Conclusions Increased awareness about the changing clinical features of dengue in pediatric cases in the present scenario as observed in recent epidemics, at least in eastern India is needed to further reduce mortality and complications of dengue cases.