Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Medical College and
Hospital, Kolkata, India
Note: [] Correspondence: Satarupa Mukherjee, MBBS, Depertmant of
Pediatrics, Medical College, 517, Brahmapur; Badamtolla Ram-krishna Pally
(Near Ujjal Park); Kolkata: 700096; West Bengal India. Tel.: +919433722489
(mob); 03324100881 (resi); E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Background: Traditionally complications of Dengue infection is
limited to vascular and haematological system. The present study describes the
changing clinico-epidemiological and laboratory profile of children
hospitalized with dengue infection. Methods: Prospective observational
study of children hospitalized with a diagnosis of dengue illness from October
to December, 2010 at a tertiary care centre in Kolkata. Results: Of 50
children admitted with dengue infection, 24 had dengue fever (DF), 18 dengue
hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and 8 had dengue shock syndrome (DSS). The mean age of
affected children was 6.25 ± 3.34 years, mostly being males from rural
areas. The common clinical manifestations were fever, rash, body ache,
hemorrhagic manifestations and oedema. While headache and body ache was
commoner among DF cases, rash and hemorrhagic manifestations were significantly
more among DHF group. Incidence of altered sensorium, neck rigidity, fulminant
hepatitis, and splenomegaly were significantly higher among the DHF/DSS group.
12% case fatality rate was found. Conclusion: Clinical manifestations
of dengue seem to be changing. Fever, rash and bodyache are not the only
clinical presentations. Encephalopathy, encephalitis, 6$^{th}$ cranial nerve
palsy, fulminant hepatic failure, acute acalculous cholecystitis, myocarditis,
myelitis, splenomegaly are some unusual but novel presentations of dengue in
pediatric population that clinician in endemic area should be aware of though
they are not mentioned in conventional guidelines Dengue is no longer
restricted to urban areas but has propensity to spread to rural areas also.
Keywords: Dengue, pediatric population, tertiary care hospital
