Study of hepatic dysfunction of dengue fever in children

Abstract

Background: Dengue is a major international health concern that is prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical countries. It is estimated that worldwide nearly 2.5 billion people continue to live at risk of contracting the infection while 50 million cases and 24,000 deaths tend to occur in 100 endemic countries. Hepatic dysfunction is common in dengue fever and the degree of liver dysfunction in children varies from mild injury with to severe injury.Methods: Prospective and descriptive study was conducted on all the laboratory confirmed cases of dengue fever in children admitted at SIMS and RC over a period of 1 year from Dec 2015 to Nov 2016 both clinically and biochemically.Results: This study reveals, the prevalence of hepatic dysfunction in 30.6% (174/568) of the cases. Among the gender and age, majority of the hepatic dysfunction were seen in males 55.7% (97/174) and in the age group of 10-18 years 44.2% (77/174). Based on the severity, majority of hepatic dysfunction was seen in severe dengue cases 59.2% (103/174). Among clinical findings, most common symptom was jaundice 27.5% (48/174) and commonest sign was hepatomegaly 39.6% (69/174). The commonest liver function test altered was AST level in 45.4% (79/174) of the cases. Commonest abdominal USG finding was gall bladder edema in 90.8% (156/174) of the cases. The mortality was nil in this study.Conclusions: This study concludes prevalence of hepatic dysfunction was seen 30.6%, most of them seen in severe dengue 59.2% of the cases suggesting any febrile child with hepatic dysfunction, dengue infection should be suspected.