Abstract
Background: Traditionally complications of Dengue infection is limited to vascular and haematological
system. The present study describes the changing clinico-epidemiological and laboratory
profile of children hospitalized with dengue infection. Methods: Prospective observational study of children hospitalized with a diagnosis of dengue
illness from October to December, 2010 at a tertiary care centre in Kolkata. Results: Of 50 children admitted with dengue infection, 24 had dengue fever (DF), 18 dengue
hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and 8 had dengue shock syndrome (DSS). The mean age of affected
children was 6.25 ± 3.34 years, mostly being males from rural areas. The common clinical
manifestations were fever, rash, body ache, hemorrhagic manifestations and oedema.
While headache and body ache was commoner among DF cases, rash and hemorrhagic manifestations
were significantly more among DHF group. Incidence of altered sensorium, neck rigidity,
fulminant hepatitis, and splenomegaly were significantly higher among the DHF/DSS
group. 12% case fatality rate was found. Conclusion: Clinical manifestations of dengue seem to be changing. Fever, rash and bodyache are
not the only clinical presentations. Encephalopathy, encephalitis, 6th cranial nerve palsy, fulminant hepatic failure, acute acalculous cholecystitis, myocarditis,
myelitis, splenomegaly are some unusual but novel presentations of dengue in pediatric
population that clinician in endemic area should be aware of though they are not mentioned
in conventional guidelines Dengue is no longer restricted to urban areas but has propensity
to spread to rural areas also.
Keywords
Dengue - pediatric population - tertiary care hospital
