Hemophagocytic syndrome in severe dengue Fever: a rare presentation

We describe a 2-year old boy developing virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome in severe dengue fever. The condition was diagnosed according to the established criteria of the International Histiocyte Society. There was uneventful recovery with corticosteroid therapy. Secondary hemophagocytosis in children can mimic severe sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, or multi organ dysfunction syndrome and lead to diagnostic difficulties. This report adds to the limited pediatric cases of dengue related hemophagocytic syndrome reported in literature; and underlines the importance of prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment of this rare but serious complication.