DENGUE IN PEDIATRIC POPULATIONS: CHALLENGES AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

Dengue fever, caused by the dengue virus (DENV), represents a significant global public health concern, with pediatric populations disproportionately affected in tropical and subtropical regions. In recent decades, the incidence of pediatric dengue has escalated sharply, particularly in countries such as India, Brazil, and Thailand, where children contribute up to 30 50% of reported dengue cases during seasonal outbreaks. Children are more vulnerable due to immature immune systems, lack of timely diagnosis, and increased risk of complications. The disease in children presents with a wide clinical spectrum, ranging from mild febrile illness to severe dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Severe complications, such as plasma leakage, hemorrhage, neurological involvement, hepatitis, and multi-organ failure, are not only more frequent but also more life-threatening in children. Risk factors such as obesity, secondary infections, maternal antibodies, and age-related vulnerabilities play an important role in disease progression. One of the major challenges lies in diagnostic overlap with other febrile illnesses like malaria and typhoid, particularly in resource-limited settings.