Clinical-Ultrasonographic Findings in Pediatric Patients with Dengue with Warning Signs and Severe Dengue

Abstract

Introduction: Plasma extravasation in dengue is the manifestation that most frequently leads to shock. There are ultrasonographic findings that corroborate the symptoms and clinical signs that make us suspect its appearance and evolution.

Objective: To describe the clinical and ultrasonographic manifestations in hospitalized pediatric patients diagnosed with non-severe dengue with warning signs and severe dengue.

Methods: Descriptive and cross-sectional observational study conducted at Cerro Pediatric Teaching Hospital between January and December 2018.

The universe consisted of patients between 1 and 18 years of age diagnosed with non-severe dengue infection with warning signs and severe dengue with serological confirmation and positive ultrasound tests. Descriptive statistics were used and the results were presented in absolute and relative values.

Results: Male patients, white skin predominated, and they were classified as non-severe dengue with warning signs, intense and sustained abdominal pain was the most repeated symptom; free fluid in the abdominal cavity was the most frequent ultrasonographic finding.

Conclusions: The identification of ultrasonographic alterations coincide with the critical phase of dengue, preceded by digestive manifestations, mainly abdominal pain, from the onset of the clinical picture, which, without being considered alarm signs, could be warning about the evolution towards more severe forms of the disease.