INCIDENCE OF DENGUE HEMORRHAGIC FEVER IN CHILDREN: A REPORT FROM MELMARUVATHUR TAMILNADU, INDIA

Dengue is a mosquito borne infection that in recent decades has become a major international public health concern. WHO currently estimated that 50 million dengue infections occur worldwide every year. Also dengue hemorrhagic fever is a leading cause of serious illness and death among children in Asian countries including India. Hence we planned to conduct a study in paediatric population. The study was conducted in department of microbiology from August 2011 to October 2012. A total of ninety children presenting with fever for more than three days were included in the study. Blood samples were analysed for hematologic parameters such as platelet count, total leukocyte count, differential leukocyte count. Serological diagnosis of dengue was done by IgG and IgM ELISA. Out of 90 children screened, 41(45.5%) were positive for dengue. Of which, 16 (39%) had dengue and 25 (61%) had dengue hemorrhagic fever. Thrombocytopenia (96%), elevated aminotransferases (96%), Abdominal pain (92%), hepatomegaly (92%) were the common clinical presentations among children with dengue. This study facilitates distinguished detection of DHF from dengue fever based on warning symptoms and hematologic parameters, which is essential for optimal management of patient. Current study strongly suggests that detection of liver enzymes (aminotransferases) elevation can be used as an important marker in children progressing to DHF.