Hepatic involvement in dengue Fever in children

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A Murine Model of Dengue Virus-induced Acute Viral Encephalitis-like Disease
04:23

A Murine Model of Dengue Virus-induced Acute Viral Encephalitis-like Disease

Published on: April 28, 2019

Kalenahalli Jagadishkumar1, Puja Jain, Vaddambal G Manjunath

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, JSS Medical College, JSS University, Mysore, India.

Iranian Journal of Pediatrics
|October 12, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Dengue infection frequently causes liver dysfunction in children, particularly in severe Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever and Dengue Shock Syndrome cases. Early consideration of dengue is vital for children with fever, jaundice, and tender hepatomegaly in endemic areas.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Hepatology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Hepatic dysfunction is a common complication in dengue infection.
  • Liver injury in children with dengue ranges from mild transaminase elevation to severe jaundice.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the spectrum of hepatic involvement in pediatric dengue infection.
  • To characterize clinical and biochemical liver abnormalities in children with dengue.

Main Methods:

  • Studied 110 serologically confirmed dengue fever cases in children (2 months - 14 years).
  • Excluded malaria, enteric fever, Hepatitis A, and Hepatitis B through relevant investigations.
  • Assessed hepatic functions clinically and biochemically, categorizing cases into Dengue Fever (DF), Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF), and Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS).

Main Results:

  • Hepatomegaly (79%) and hepatic tenderness (56%) were prevalent.
  • Elevated liver enzymes were common: AST (93%), ALT (78%), AP (57%).
  • Jaundice (4.5%), prolonged PT (20%), reduced albumin (66%), and abnormal ultrasound (65%) were also observed.

Conclusions:

  • Hepatic dysfunction was more pronounced in DHF and DSS groups compared to DF.
  • Approximately 17.27% of children experienced >10 fold increase in liver enzymes.
  • Clinical signs like hepatomegaly or tenderness did not correlate with the severity of liver function abnormalities.
Abstract

Keywords:
ChildrenDengueHepatomegalyJaundiceLiver enzymes

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