Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026
Portable Paper-Based Immunoassay Combined with Smartphone Application for Colorimetric and Quantitative Detection of Dengue NS1 Antigen
Published on: January 26, 2024
Serum ferritin levels in children with dengue infection
Wathanee Chaiyaratana1, Ampaiwan Chuansumrit, Kalayanee Atamasirikul
1Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. rawcy@mahidol.ac.th
Insights
Elevated serum ferritin levels may predict dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) risk in children. This study found higher ferritin in DHF patients, suggesting its potential as a diagnostic marker for severe dengue infection.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Dengue infection is a significant public health concern, with dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) representing a severe form.
- Early identification of DHF risk is crucial for timely intervention and improved patient outcomes.
- Ferritin, an acute-phase reactant, has been investigated for its role in various inflammatory conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the predictive value of serum ferritin levels for the risk of developing dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) in children with dengue infection.
- To compare serum ferritin levels between children with dengue fever (DF) and DHF.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 177 Thai children (aged 4-16 years) diagnosed with dengue infection (DF or DHF) were enrolled.
- Serum ferritin levels were measured daily during hospitalization and post-discharge.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare ferritin levels and determine predictive accuracy for DHF.
Main Results:
- Children with DHF exhibited significantly higher median serum ferritin levels compared to those with DF, particularly on days 5, 6, and 7 of illness (p<0.05).
- A serum ferritin cutoff level of 1,200 ng/ml demonstrated high sensitivity (81.5-89.9%) for predicting DHF on days 5-7.
- Specificities for predicting DHF at this cutoff ranged from 36.4% to 42.4% on days 5-7.
Conclusions:
- Elevated serum ferritin levels, especially above 1,200 ng/ml, may serve as a potential predictor for dengue hemorrhagic fever in children.
- Further research is warranted to validate ferritin as a reliable biomarker for DHF risk stratification.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the levels of ferritin, an acute-phase reactant, in predicting the risk of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) in patients with dengue infection. One hundred seventy-seven Thai children (100 males, 77 females) 4-16 years old (median age 11 years) with DF (n = 44) and DHF (n = 133) were enrolled in the study. All patients had serologic confirmation of dengue infection. Each had a venous blood sample drawn daily during hospitalization and at the outpatient clinic 2-4 weeks after discharge from the hospital, to determine serum ferritin levels. The median serum ferritin levels (ng/ml) in children with DHF (Day 2, 974; Day 3, 624; Day 4, 1,136; Day 5, 1,912; Day 6, 2, 105; Day 7, 1,840; Day 8, 1,478 and Day 9, 1,144 of illness) were higher than those with DF (Day 2, 25.4; Day 3, 45.6; Day 4, 655; Day 5, 1,050; Day 6, 1,075; Day 7, 615; Day 8, 764 and Day 9, 600 of illness) with p-values of 0.013, 0.001 and 0.013 on Days 5, 6 and 7 of illness, respectively. A cutoff level of serum ferritin of 1,200 ng/ml was used to calculate sensitivity and specificity for DHF. The results reveal the sensitivities on Days 5, 6 and 7 of illness were 81.5, 84.4 and 89.9%, respectively, and the specificities were 42.4, 39.0 and 36.4%, respectively. High serum ferritin levels > or = 1,200 ng/ml may be a predictor of dengue hemorrhagic fever.
More Related Videos
07:06A Simple Flow Cytometry Based Assay to Determine In Vitro Antibody Dependent Enhancement of Dengue Virus Using Zika Virus Convalescent Serum
Published on: April 10, 2018
05:08Measurement of Tissue Non-Heme Iron Content using a Bathophenanthroline-Based Colorimetric Assay
Published on: January 31, 2022
