Profile of Dengue Fever in Hospitalized Children in Saurashtra, Gujarat, 2013-2017

ABSTRACT

Objective: To study the five year trend of epidemiological and demographic characteristics ofdengue infections from year 2013 to 2017 among children upto 15 years. Methods: Thisstudy presents data from review of microbiology department records of samples for denguetesting with information supplied by clinicians on the investigation request form. Patientswere tested for NS1 Ag, IgM Ab or both. Results: Out of 4216 samples, 1072 (25.4%) werepositive for dengue. Positivity ranged from 44.1% in year 2013, 25.8% in 2015 to 16.1% inyear 2017. Most cases reported were among male (57.9%), from urban areas (77.9%) andRajkot district (75.7%). Reporting of dengue cases increased from July to November withpeak during October every year. Conclusion: Serum samples for dengue serology weremore commonly positive in July-September months during the study period, and in malechildren, and those from urban areas.