Unusual Presentation of Dengue Fever: A child with acute myocarditis

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Cardiology

Background:

• Dengue fever (DF) is a common viral illness.
• While typically self-limiting, DF can lead to severe organ complications.
• Myocarditis is a recognized but often overlooked complication of DF.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of dengue-associated myocarditis in a child.
• To emphasize the importance of cardiac monitoring in DF patients with cardiac symptoms.
• To highlight the need for early diagnosis and management of myocarditis in dengue.

Main Methods:

• A case report of a pediatric patient diagnosed with Dengue Fever.
• Clinical presentation included high-grade fever, malaise, and epigastric pain.
• Cardiac investigations revealed myocardial damage, confirmed by echocardiography and cardiac enzymes.

Main Results:

• The child presented with symptoms suggestive of dengue fever and subsequent cardiac involvement.
• Diagnostic assays confirmed Dengue Fever (DF) and immunoglobulin M.
• Supportive care and inotropic agents led to the normalization of cardiac function and enzyme levels.

Conclusions:

• Myocarditis is a significant complication of Dengue Fever that requires prompt recognition.
• Pediatricians and clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for cardiac involvement in DF patients.
• Early supportive management is critical for favorable outcomes in dengue-associated myocarditis.