Clinical spectrum of dengue fever among children: A hospital-based study.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the spectrum of clinical features of dengue fever among patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of Pediatrics, Zia Uddin Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. Period: September 2023 to February 2024. Methods: A total of 84 patients aged 1 month up to 15 years and presenting with dengue fever were analyzed. Demographic data was noted at the time of enrollment, and relevant laboratory investigations were sought. Dengue fever classification, associated clinical features, and final outcomes were noted. Data were analyzed using IBM-SPSS Statistics, version 26.0. Results: Of 84 children, 48 (57.1%) were male. The mean age was 4.58±3.48 years. Dengue fever without warning signs, dengue fever with warning signs, and severe dengue fever were diagnosed in 31 (36.9%), 30 (35.7%), and 23 (27.4%) patients, respectively. The frequent presentations were nausea and vomiting (55%), rash (51%), headache (43%), fits (24%), altered mental status (21%), bleeding (21%), and myalgia (17%). Sinus bradycardia on ECG (p=0.007), abnormal chest x-ray (p=0.005), Ventilatory support (p<0.001), and classification of Severe dengue fever (< 0.001) were found to be significant predictors of mortality. Conclusion: The study identified key clinical features of dengue fever in children, with common symptoms including nausea, rash, headache, and bleeding. Severe dengue, marked by sinus bradycardia, abnormal chest X-ray, and need for ventilatory support, were significantly linked to higher mortality.