An analysis of risk factors for visceral disseminated varicella in children
Shuai Guo1,2,3, Qin Guo1,2,3, Chaomin Wan1,2,3
1Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Insights
Abdominal pain, elevated C-reactive protein and alanine aminotransferase, and delayed antiviral therapy are key risk factors for visceral disseminated varicella in children. Early identification and prompt treatment are crucial for managing this severe complication.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Visceral disseminated varicella is a severe complication of chickenpox affecting internal organs.
- Potential complications include encephalitis, hepatitis, and coagulation disorders, posing life-threatening risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and analyze risk factors associated with visceral disseminated varicella.
- To enable early detection of high-risk pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records of children hospitalized with varicella.
- Data collected included demographics, clinical features, laboratory tests, treatments, and outcomes.
- Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to determine independent risk factors.
Main Results:
- Abdominal pain (OR 20.451) was a significant risk factor.
- Elevated C-reactive protein (OR 12.794) and alanine aminotransferase (OR 7.453) indicated increased risk.
- Delayed antiviral therapy (onset to treatment >7 days) (OR 12.451) was also an independent risk factor.
Conclusions:
- Children with varicella presenting with abdominal pain, elevated inflammatory markers, or delayed antiviral treatment require close monitoring for visceral disseminated varicella.
- Prompt initiation of antiviral therapy is essential for patients identified with these risk factors.
Background:
Visceral disseminated varicella involves the internal organs, and complications such as encephalitis, hepatitis, and coagulation disorders threaten a patient's life. In this study, our aim is to analyze the risk factors for visceral disseminated varicella to enable the early identification of patients at a high risk of visceral disseminated varicella.
Methods:
We reviewed the medical records of children hospitalized with varicella. The data covered demographics, clinical manifestations, auxiliary examinations, treatments, and outcomes. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors.
Results:
A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that abdominal pain [odds ratio (OR) 20.451, 95% CI 1.637-255.548], increased levels of C-reactive protein (OR 12.794, 95% CI 1.820-89.937), increased levels of alanine aminotransferase (OR 7.453, 95% CI 1.624-34.206), and the time between onset and antiviral therapy of more than 7 days (OR 12.451, 95% CI 1.569-98.810) were independent risk factors for visceral disseminated varicella.
Conclusions:
Patients with varicella who have the abovementioned risk factors need to be monitored for the risk of developing visceral disseminated varicella, for which timely antiviral therapy is necessary.
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