Dengue Fever in a Neonate: A Case Report

Abstract

Dengue is one of the most common viral infections affecting the general population in endemic areas annually. However, it is barely reported in newborns owing to a widespread belief that they are protected from severe viral infections in the first six months of life by the presence of maternal antibodies. Here we present a case of a 23-day-old male infant born to primigravida with dengue fever with the post-natal transmission of infection. He presented with complaints of fever for three days. On general examination, red-coloured pinpoint macular rashes were observed bilaterally on lower limbs. No significant findings were present on systemic examination. On routine sepsis workup, thrombocytopenia was present. Acknowledging the endemicity and expanding dengue cases, NS1 antigen and antibody IgM and IgG of the baby were tested which came positive for antigen and IgM antibody. Even so, the mother was asymptomatic with NS1 antigen, IgG and IgM antibodies negative with a normal range of platelet count.

Keywords

• case report; dengue fever; neonates, Nepal.