Hematological profile of pediatric patients with dengue in district hospital Samba

Background: Dengue is an acute viral illness spread by vector aedes mosquito and caused by RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae. Dengue presents with high fever, severe headache, vomiting, arthralgia, myalgia. Laboratory findings include thrombocytopenia and leukopenia. Dengue is self-limiting illness. Objectives were to study hematological profile of pediatric patients with dengue in district hospital samba from September to November 2022. Methods: Dengue patients aged 0-18 years detected by ELISA NS1 antigen assay in DH samba were included in the study. CBC of all these patients was analyzed on day of presentation to hospital and day of dengue positivity. Results: There were 50 participants in this study. Out of these 35 (70%) were males and 15 (30%) were females, 11 patients were 1-5-year-old (22%); 16 patients were 6-12-year-old (32%); 23 patients were 13-18-year-old (46%), 21 patients (42%) had thrombocytopenia at presentation. 29 out of 50 (58%) were anemic, 19 out of 50 (38%) patients had leukocytopenia. Statistically significant association were seen between age group and platelet counts; platelet and leukocyte count. Conclusions: Teenagers were most commonly affected. Males were affected 3× more than females. Although thrombocytopenia was not universal at presentation but it was observed in less than half (42%) of study participants. One third of study participants (38%) had leukocytopenia at presentations. Thrombocytopenia was most predominant in adolescent age group. Leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia were associated with each other.