European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background:Dengue fever presents with a diverse clinical spectrum. Although liver is
not a major target organ, hepatic dysfunction is a well recognized feature. In this study
we attempted to study the pattern of hepatic involvement in children with dengue and
its association with disease severity.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted at during the period
of 1 year. Children <18 years of age with dengue Ns1 Ag and IgM positive were
included in this study. After obtaining informed consent, a pre structured proforma was
used to record the relevant information from each subject. After detailed clinical
examination and haematological investigation children were categorized into three
groups as dengue fever with no warning signs(DNWS), dengue fever with warning
signs(DWWS) and severe dengue fever(SDF) according to WHO classification.
Statistical analysis was done to know the strength of association between different
clinical and biochemical variables and outcome of the disease.
Results: The mean age of the study population was 8.65 years with male preponderance.
The mean total bilirubin, serum albumin, SGOT, SGPT, ALP, PT and INR were 0.76
mg/dl, 3.8g/dl, 233.18U/L, 118.15U/L, 200.65 U/L, 12.9s and 1.09 respectively. The mean
SGOT was significantly higher than SGPT. The degree of deranged LFTs was
significantly more in SDF group than DNWS and DWWS groups. Serum albumin was
significantly decreased in children with SDF group correlating with disease severity,
prognosis and outcome.
Conclusion: Hepatic dysfunction was present in all forms of dengue infection, with
SGOT rising significantly more than SGPT. All biochemical liver parameters were
significantly deranged in patients with severe dengue fever indicating prolonged illness
and poor prognosis.