Frequency of Dengue Fever in Children Presenting with Hepatomegaly and Elevated SGPT Level

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of Dengue fever in children presenting with Hepatomegaly and elevated SGPT level. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Duration of Study: March 2016 to August 2016. Setting: Department of Pediatric Medicine Unit-1, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad. Methodology: Over 6 months, 91 children meeting the inclusion criteria were selected from OPD and ward after parental informed consent. Laboratory investigations included Complete Blood Count with peripheral film for Malarial Parasite, SGPT level, IgM and IgG typhoid antibodies, Hepatitis A by ELISA, Hepatitis B and C. Patients were thoroughly evaluated by detailed history and clinical examination. Ultrasonography of the patients was performed to confirm the presence of hepatomegaly. After 5 days 2cc blood for IgM and IgG dengue antibodies were sent to pathology laboratory. Finally, the data were analyzed to determine the mean and standard deviation for quantitative variable like age of child, duration of fever and SGPT level. Qualitative variable like sex and presence of Dengue Fever were presented as frequency and percentage. Results: Age distribution of the patients was done     which shows that 59.34% were between 1-7 years and 40.66% were between 8-14 years of age, mean+SD was calculated as 7.02+4.05 years. Mean SGPT levels were recorded as 58.32+6.43. Frequency of dengue fever in children presenting with hepatomegaly and elevated SGPT level was recorded in 72.53%. Conclusion: We concluded that the frequency of Dengue fever in children is high among patients presenting with hepatomegaly with elevated SGPT levels. Therefore, it is recommended that every child who presents with hepatomegaly and elevated SGPT levels might also be elevated for Dengue fever in dengue endemic areas.