Changing trends in clinicopathological parameters in dengue with evaluation of predictors of poor outcome in children

Abstract

A study was planned to evaluate the changing trends in dengue in children. It also aimed at identifying and evaluating the association between clinical features and outcomes. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study conducted in the Pediatric ward of a tertiary care hospital of north India during the period of August 2014 to October 2014. Children in the age group between 1-12 years who presented with signs and symptoms of dengue fever along with serological (IgM Elisa positive) or non structural protein antigen NS1 positivity were included for the retrospective analysis in the study. Continuous variables were analysed using percentage, mean, standard deviation. Categorical variables were analysed using Chi square test. P value <1,00,000) was present in 82.6 %. All patients with mucosal bleeds had thrombocytopenia which was statistically significant (p<0.002). There was a significant correlation between presence of >3 warning signs and prolonged hospital stay (>5 days) and progression to shock. Conclusions: Fever was found in all the patients. Lethargy, presence of more than 3 warning signs at the time of presentation, more than 5 days duration of hospital stay can be used as predictors of severe dengue.