Hepatic Dysfunction in Children Suffering from Dengue Fever

ABSTRACT

Background: Dengue infections are associated with liver involvement leading to the occasional occurrence of liver failure ofsevere variety and even death. Dengue is almost endemic throughout India and it is much more serious and deleterious inchildren. We have, therefore, tried to estimate the prevalence of derangement of liver function in children affected with denguevirus infection.Materials and Methods: This study was done in admitted dengue patients in our medical college in the age group of1 month–12 years. Only 81 children of NS1 positive for dengue virus were included in the study. In all of these complete bloodcount and liver function tests were performed on the day of admission and every alternate date as long as they were admitted.Results: All the parameters that are serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate-pyruvatetransaminase (SGPT), and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) raised throughout the whole period of dengue illness andthe serum albumin level were reduced. However, these changes were most marked on the 5th–6th days of fever after whichthey again slowly waned.Conclusion: Dengue fever causes hepatic injury in children, which is reflected by raised SGOT, SGPT, and GGT and reducedserum albumin. More the severity of the dengue infection more pronounced are the changes in liver derangement.