Case report: vertical dengue infection

To report a case of vertical dengue infection in a newborn from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and to review the literature concerning this problem.

We report a case of vertical dengue infection. Female neonate, birth weight 3,940 g, term, was admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit on the fifth day of life with fever and erythematous rash. Her mother had had dengue fever 3 days before delivery. Her platelet count was 38,000, dropping to 15,000. She did not have any hemorrhagic episodes, including cerebral hemorrhages. Anti-dengue antibodies (IgM) were positive in the mother and infant. Dengue type 2 was detected in the infant using polymerase chain reaction.

This report emphasizes that pediatricians should be aware of the possibility of vertical dengue infection so that early management can be instituted.