Comparison of clinical characteristics of dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever among children in Phatthalung hospital

Abstract

           Background : Dengue fever and Dengue hemorrhagic fever are the major causes of patients. These diseases remain the important problem at Phatthalung hospital.Objective : The goal of this study was to compare clinical characteristics between dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever
and determine the risk factors of severity among children who required hospitalization at Phatthalung hospital.Methodology : The study was retrospective study from the medical records of 675 dengue pediatric patients admitted to Phatthalung hospital during January 2011 to May 2015..The diagnosis
of dengue patients adhered to the World Health Organization dengue definition and classification. Chi-square, t-test and Anova were calculated to estimate severity risk.Results : 675 Children were hospitalized with dengue infection,363 males and 312 females. The mean age was 8.8 ± 4.1
years. The peak period of infection was found in October. The most common symptoms were fever, nausea, vomiting, running nose and cough. The most common hemorrhagic manifestations were epistaxis,melena and hematemesis. The significant risk factors for dengue hemorrhagic fever that found from clinical laboratory were high WBC,thrombocytopenia, elevate liver transminase, hypoalbuminemia and patients who were refered from a primary hospital, Four patients wererefered to a tertiary hospital.Conclusion : Dengue fever does not show any difference in clinical terms such as gender, age and symptoms from dengue hemorrhagic fever. However, risk factors that affect the severity of dengue hemorrhagic fever is a result of the abnormal of WBC, Platelet,AST, ALT, Albumin. Thus, staff who take care of patients should be well educated to be aware of this disease, monitor patients closely and observe risk factor to lead to the correct diagnosis and treatment and can refer to secondary or tertiary care quickly and promptly.