Clinico-Pathological Spectrum of Dengue Fever among Children in District Peshawar

Background: Dengue fever frequently emerges as an epidemic in Pakistan, necessitating a thorough understanding of its clinical and pathological aspects, particularly among pediatric patients.Objective: This study aimed to assess various clinical parameters in children diagnosed with dengue fever in the district Peshawar.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2021 to December 2022 at the Pediatric and Pathology Departments of Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar. All patients who tested positive for dengue using the ICT kit serological test were included, while those with significant dengue symptoms but negative serology were excluded. Clinical data, along with hematological and biochemical test results, were collected and analyzed. Mean and standard deviation were calculated for quantitative variables, and frequencies and percentages were used for qualitative variables.Results: The study included 1000 dengue cases, ranging from 4 months to 18 years (mean age: 12.38 years), with a male predominance (58.8%). Serological analysis revealed that 61% were NS1 positive, 34% were IgM positive, and 33% were IgG positive. Hematological findings showed leukopenia (22.4%) and thrombocytopenia (51.9%) as common features. Elevated AST and ALT levels were observed in 41% and 14% of patients, respectively, with increased creatinine values in 17%. Dengue fever was the most common presentation (79.6%), followed by dengue hemorrhagic fever (18.8%) and dengue shock syndrome (1.6%).Conclusion: Most cases presented with mild to moderate severity, with severe manifestations being rare. These findings highlight the predominant clinical features and laboratory markers associated with dengue infections, aiding healthcare providers in better diagnosis and management.Keywords: Biochemical parameters, Clinical features, Dengue, Hematological tests.