A retrospective study of dengue hemorrhagic fever in pediatric patients of the Divine Word University Hospital, Tacloban City

ABSTRACT

A retrospective study was undertaken in 39 pediatric patients with Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever admitted to the Divine Word University Hospital, Tacloban City between January 1985 and December 1989. Diagnosis was based on the WHO (World Health Organization) case definitions for Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever/Dengue Shock Syndrome (DHF/DSS) Of the 39 patients, females (64%) outnumbered the males and 51% were females above 4 years old. The nutritional status of most of these patients (92%) were within normal. Majority (72%) had their residence with in Tacloban City. The most common hemorrhagic manifestations were a positive tourniquet test (100%), petecchiae (84%), rash (62%) and epistaxis (26%) while the most common non-specific manifestations were fever (100%), vomiting (51%) and abdominal pain (41%). The difference of the duration of the fever between males and females and the different age groups was not significant. The platelet count was 100,000/mm3 or less in 9 patients (23%). One patient had pleural effusion. One of the two patients who had hypotension died within 24 hours from admission.