Clinical, laboratory profile and outcome of dengue fever at a south Indian tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background: Dengue fever is a rapidly spreading mosquito-borne viral disease in the world. Methods: We prospectively studied adult patients with dengue fever (n=148) at our tertiary care teaching hospital from November 2010 to September 2012. Their clinical presentation, laboratory manifestation and outcome are reported. Results: Eighty eight (59.1%) patients had severe forms of dengue fever. The various complaints noted by patients included vomitings, headache, body aches, low backache, retro-orbital pain, rash, loose motions, pain abdomen and jaundice. Melena was the most common bleeding manifestation. Thrombocytopenia was present in 91.9% of patients. Elevation of hepatic transaminases was found in 80.9% of patients. Hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin <3. 5 g/dL) was present in 62 (42.9%) patients. Albuminuria was seen in 39 (26.4%) patients. Abdominal ultrasonography showed ascites in 28.6%, hepatomegaly in 26.1%, splenomegaly in 28.4%, and acalculous cholecystitis in 20.5%. Chest radiograph showed pleural effusion in 31(21%) patients. Electrocardiogram revealed bradycardia in 30 (20.3%) patients. Packed red cell transfusion was given to 14 (9.5%) patients and platelet rich plasma (PRP) and single donor platelets (SDP) were given to 36 (24.3%) patients with severe dengue fever. Of the 148 patients, nine (6.1%) died. Conclusions: Fever, vomiting were the most common symptoms, melena was the most common bleeding manifestation in patients presenting with dengue fever.

Keywords

• dengue fever
• warning signs
• india
• severe dengue