Clinical and Bio-Chemical Manifestation in Children with Dengue Fever

Abstract

Introduction: Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral infection, poses a significant health threat, particularly in children. This study aims to explore the clinical and biochemical manifestations of dengue in pediatric patients to better understand the severity and associated risk factors in this vulnerable population. Methods & Materials: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over one year in the Pediatric OPD & IPD of the Institute of Child and Mother Health (ICMH), involving 54 children aged 0-18 years diagnosed with dengue fever. Data were collected using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire, and the clinical and biochemical parameters were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: The majority of participants were under 5 years old (48.15%), with males constituting 55.56% of the sample. Over half of the participants (53.70%) were diagnosed with dengue fever, while 24.07% had dengue hemorrhagic fever, and 22.22% had dengue shock syndrome. Common symptoms included fever (100%) and vomiting (81.48%). Biochemical analysis revealed that 72.22% had platelet counts above 100,000, while 35.19% exhibited elevated SGPT levels. Cardiac involvement was noted in 25.93% of participants, with pericardial effusion observed. Conclusion: The study highlights the significant morbidity associated with dengue in children, particularly the severe forms of the disease. Early diagnosis, vigilant monitoring of biochemical markers, and comprehensive cardiac and renal assessments are crucial in managing severe cases. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to mitigate the impact of dengue in pediatric populations.