Dengue infection in children and adolescents: clinical profile in a reference hospital in northeast Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to describe the clinical spectrum of dengue in children and adolescents from a hyperendemic region who were admitted for hospitalization. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with dengue infection upon admission to a reference center in Fortaleza, Brazil. RESULTS: Of the 84 patients included, 42 underwent confirmatory testing. The main symptoms were fever, abdominal pain and vomiting. The median level of serum aspartate aminotransferase was 143.5±128mg/dL. CONCLUSIONS: A peculiar clinical profile was evident among children and adolescents with dengue infection in a reference center in northeast Brazil, including gastrointestinal symptoms and liver involvement.