Correlation of ultrasound measurement of inferior vena cava to aorta diameter ratio with hematocrit levels and severity of shock among children with Dengue fever seen at the Emergency Room of a tertiary government hospital

ABSTRACT

@#<p><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> Severe dengue is a leading cause of serious illness and death, and intensive supportive care is the most important aspect of management. Before fluid resuscitation, a baseline hematocrit is obtained, and frequent monitoring of the complete blood count is needed.</p><p><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> To determine the correlation of ultrasound measurement of inferior vena cava (IVC) to aorta (Ao) diameter ratio with hematocrit levels and severity of shock among children with dengue fever.</p><p><strong>METHODOLOGY:</strong> This is a prospective study design conducted at the Emergency Room of Philippine Children's Medical Center. Clinical data and hematocrit of the children with dengue fever aged 1 month to 17 years and 364 days old were documented. The Inferior vena cava diameter (IVC)and the Aorta (Ao) diameter ratio was determined using bedside ultrasound.</p><p> <strong>RESULTS:</strong> The IVC/Ao diameter ratio correlates with high hematocrit and dengue shock in children. There is a significantly higher proportion of subjects with a hematocrit of normal range of age among those with a ratio 1.0.  A ratio of severity of Dengue illness. Sensitivity of IVC/Ao diameter ratio of Measurement of IVC/Ao diameter ratio has high interrater and intrarater reliability.</p><p><strong>CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION</strong> IVC/Ao diameter ratio was significantly associated with severity of dengue illness. It should be used to aid decision?making and monitor response to treatments in dengue fever.</p>