Dengue-associated adult respiratory distress syndrome

In dengue shock syndrome, an acute increase in capillary permeability results in leakage of plasma into the interstitial space. Pleural effusion is commonly seen in dengue shock syndrome. We report three cases of dengue-associated adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in children, in all of whom dengue haemorrhagic fever, presenting with grade 3 or grade 4 dengue shock syndrome with disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, was confirmed. The criteria for the diagnosis of ARDS were based on the expanded definition of ARDS by Murray et al. Treatment consisted of fluid resuscitation, correction of coagulopathy and mechanical ventilation. All three children had multi-organ impairment, but it was more severe in the two who died. The one survivor was well at discharge.