CHARACTERIZATION OF PATIENTS WITH DENGUE IN A PEDIATRIC DEPARTMENT

https://doi.org/10.56274/rcs.2025.4.2.61

Abstract

Introduction: Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by vectors with increasing prevalence in Latin America. There is insufficient information on its clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory behavior. Objective: To describe the characteristics of patients hospitalized in a pediatric center with a diagnosis of dengue. Population and methods: Observational, retrospective study of patients hospitalized for dengue at the beginning of 2024 in a pediatric center in Buenos Aires. Results: Information was obtained from 71 patients with a presumptive or confirmed diagnosis of dengue. Fifty-five percent were male, and the most affected age group was 12-13 years old. The most common symptoms were fever, arthralgia, myalgia, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Hemorrhages were identified in 34.8% of cases. The most frequent laboratory finding was leukopenia, followed by thrombocytopenia. Only 13% of cases were confirmed by laboratory tests. Ninety-one point four percent of patients were treated in a general ward, and 8.6% required intensive care. The median length of hospital stay was 2-3 days. Conclusion. Identifying the clinical and laboratory characteristics of dengue in children allows for an appropriate approach and helps prevent serious complications, improving the prognosis of pediatric patients during outbreaks.