Dengue Infection in Children: Clinical Profile and Outcome in Dhaka City

Dengue is a self-limiting acute mosquito born disease caused by Dengue virus. Dengue infections may be asymptomatic or can result in a wide spectrum of disease severity ranging from an influenza-like illness (Dengue fever) to the life-threatening Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF)/Dengue shock syndrome (DSS). We aimed to analyze the variation in clinical spectrum, outcome and possible risk factors for fatality among Dengue infected children. This was an observational study carried out over a period of one year involving 89 children up to 15 years of age. Upon clinical suspicion Dengue was confirmed by NS 1 antigen and/or Dengue antibody IgM, IgG. Positive Dengue cases were enrolled & interviewed and the information obtained related to the risk factors, clinical presentation, pattern of Dengue infection and outcome were documented in the pre-structured questionnaire. Among the 89 studied children the highest percentage (51.68%) was between 0-5 year and male female ratio was 1.2: 1. Mosquito net was not used by (74.15%) children and there was source of stagnant water in/near the house of (13.48%) children. Fever was present in (100%), rash in (48.31%), nausea/vomiting in (37.07%), headache in (12.35%), myalgia/arthralgia/backache (13.48%), retro orbital pain (1.12%) and abdominal pain in (23.59%) patient. Epistaxis was the commonest (70%) form of bleeding. CNS involvement was in the form of restlessness/irritability (19.10%), altered sensorium (2.24%) and convulsion. Pleural effusion was commoner than ascites; (25.84%) and (12.35%) respectively. Among the enrolled children Dengue fever was (74.15%), Dengue hemorrhagic fever (6.74%) and Dengue shock syndrome (19.10%). Two patients died out of 17 from Dengue shock syndrome which was (11.76%). World Health Organization (WHO) guideline based management should be applied in assessing and managing Dengue cases to reduce mortality rate. Public awareness should be widened to prevent Dengue.