Haematological Predictors of Section Recovery in Dengue Cases

Abstract

Introduction: Dengue fever is associated with relative increase in haemoglobin, haematocrit and monocyte counts and reduction in platelet counts, eosinophil percentage and absolute eosinophil count. Recovery is marked by decrease in haemoglobin, haematocrit and monocyte percentage and increase in platelet count, eosinophil percentage and absolute eosinophil count. Aim: To assess the haematological parameters like haemoglobin, haematocrit, monocyte counts, eosinophil counts and absolute eosinophil counts which may be used as a surrogate marker for recovery. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute for a period of three months. Hundred consecutive cases of dengue fever were included in the study. All haematological parameters including haemoglobin, haematocrit, total WBC count, differential count with neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, platelet counts and absolute eosinophil counts were noted on hospital admission and on recovery. Results: The different haematological parameters which change statistically significantly during dengue infection and recovery are the haemoglobin, haematocrit, monocytes, eosinophil, absolute eosinophil count and platelet count (p-value<0.001). Conclusion: These changes in haemoglobin, haematocrit, monocyte percentage and the platelet count, eosinophil percentages and absolute eosinophil count could be used to monitor recovery in dengue cases.

Keywords

• absolute eosinophil count
• eosinophil percentage
• haemoglobin
• platelet count