Publication:
Chiang Mai Med J 2011; 50(4):00-00.
Abstract:
Objective: To assess clinical characteristics, outcomes, and hospital costs of dengueinfected children, who were admitted to Chiang Mai University (CMU) Hospital during an outbreak in 2008.
Methods: All serologically confi rmed dengue-infected children, who were admitted to CMU Hospital between January 1 and December 31, 2008 were reviewed retrospectively.
Results: A total of 130 children were included in the study. The median age was 12.2 years (interquartile range: 9.7-13.9). Seventy-eight children (60%) were males. Twenty children (15.4%) were classifi ed as having dengue fever, 99 (76.1%) as having dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), and 11 (8.5%) as having dengue shock syndrome (DSS). The three most common presenting symptoms were acute fever (98.5%), nausea/vomiting (66.9%), and myalgia (55.4%). Hepatomegaly, hypotension, pleural effusion, and ascites were found more common in children with it than in those without DSS (p < 0.05). Children with DSS stayed signifi cantly longer in hospital than those without it (7.1 vs. 3.3 days, p < 0.01). The mean hospital cost per admission was 10 times higher among children with DSS than those without it (US$ 181.9 vs. US$ 1,873.0, p < 0.001). The overall mortality rate was 1.5%.
Conclusion : Children with DSS showed higher clinical severity, longer hospital stay, and poorer outcomes than those without it. Prompt diagnosis and treatment defi nitely helps reduce morbidity, mortality and hospital costs.
