Hematological parameters and aminotransferase changes in dengue infection

Abstract

Background: Dengue is a viral disease that is caused by dengue virus. The incidence of dengue has rapidly increased over the last few years. Classical dengue fever presents as fever, generalized body ache, myalgia, arthralgia, and headache. The hematological parameters such as hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), WBC count, differential WBC counts and platelet count vary each day of the fever in dengue patients. This study was undertaken to study the various hematological parameters and aminotransferases and their correlation with severity of dengue.Methods: Descriptive study of 100 patients admitted in KBNTGH, Kalaburagi was carried out to evaluate the hematological parameters and changes in aminotransferase levels.Results: 58 were male and 42 were female and the age ranged between 1yr-75yr. The haemoglobin was found to be decreased in 28% of the cases, whereas in 19% of the cases hematocrit was found to be increased. 52% of the cases had a decreased leucocyte count and 66% showed increased lymphocyte percentage. Decrease in platelet count was seen in 87 cases. 85 showed increased AST levels and 67 showed increased ALT levels.Conclusion: Dengue is a self-limiting disease. Peripheral blood parameters are very helpful for disease monitoring and can be useful in prediction of prognosis. Liver involvement is also seen and is related to severity of dengue. These indicators, if rightly and timely assessed can be of value for better care of complicated cases