Vertical transmission of dengue infection in Thai infants: two case reports

Dengue infection is hyperendemic in tropical countries especially in Thailand. Most dengue infections occur during childhood but some adults may remain susceptible to infection. About 30 per cent of dengue infection are reported in patients > 15 years old. Some pregnant women may also be susceptible to dengue and if they experience dengue infection, they can transmit the dengue viruses to their babies. The authors report two babies who developed mild dengue illness, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) grade II, beginning on their 6th day of life. Both of them had low grade fever, hepatomegaly and generalized petechial rash. The first baby had Hct ranging from 46 to 40 per cent with minimal right pleural effusion. The lowest platelet count was 19,000 cells/mm3. His mother had dengue shock syndrome with masssive post partum bleeding. The second baby had dengue 2 infection while his mother had dengue fever. His Hct had also risen from 52 per cent to 61 per cent with right pleural effusion. His lowest platelet count was 7,000 cells/mm3. Both mothers and their babies had a complete recovery although the first baby had prolonged thrombocytopenia for two months.