ABSTRACT
Objective: This research aims to describe the profile, clinical course, treatment and outcome of varicella in immunocompromised children at the Philippine General Hospital from January 1999 to December 2004.Study Population: All immunocompromised patients less than 19 years of age with a clinical diagnosis of varicella admitted at the Philippine General Hospital during the study period were included. Method: A review of medical records and monthly census reports of the Pediatric Infectious Disease and Hematology-Oncology Services was conducted. Results: Out of 26 immunocompromised patients who developed varicella during the study period, only 22 charts were available for review. Of these patients, 13 were male and 9 were female. The highest incidence occurred from 0 to 5 years old (41%). Twenty patients had an underlying malignancy in the form of leukemia (14%) and solid organ tumors (6%). Two patients were on chronic steroid therapy (Prednisone) for more than a month due to Nephrotic Syndrome and Myelodysplastic Syndrome with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. The most common presenting symptom was a rash (68%), with an associated fever seen in 54% of the cases. Majority were treated with acyclovir for an average of 7 days with good response. Nine patients developed complications: mainly, pneumonia and sepsis. Recovery rate was 82%; however, fatality rate was 13.6%. Conclusion: Varicella in immunocompromised children is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Our patients responded well to sequential intravenous and oral acyclovir. Vaccination of targeted populations such as close household contacts of immunocompromised patients, as well as, healthcare workers may be a good strategy to protect high-risk children from developing the disease and its complications.