Clinical profile of dengue fever in children in a secondary care hospital: an observational study

Abstract

Background: Dengue is the most prevalent mosquito-borne viral disease worldwide. It is endemic to hyperendemic in various parts of India. Symptomatic dengue infection causes a wide range of clinical manifestations, from mild dengue fever to potentially fatal disease, such as dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome. Aim of the study was to analyze the clinical profile of children affected by dengue fever.Methods: A total of 250 who had dengue fever serologically positive cases had included in this study. All the demographic and clinical history and laboratory diagnosis had collected from the study people and written informed consent form had obtained from the patient. Results were statistically analyzed and discussed.Results: Based on symptoms all the 250 patients had a fever, 219 patients had vomiting, 209 patients had a loss of appetite, 197 patients had abdominal pain, 160 patients had body/leg pain, 135 patients had a headache/ retro-orbital pain, 91 patients had abdominal distension, 81 patients had skin rashes, 53 patients had bleeding disorders, and 7 patients had a convulsion. 99 patients had an undifferentiated fever, 115 patients had dengue fever, and 43 patients had severe dengue fever. 75 patients had platelet count of 50,000-1,00,000/mm3, 34 patients had 20,000-50,000/mm3and 12 patients had less than 20,000/mm3 platelet count.Conclusion: The majority had common presenting symptoms of fever, vomiting, headache and body pain. No deaths have occurred in this study. Conservative management strategy with rational platelet transfusion is effective in managing dengue patients.