Abstract
Background: Dengue fever is a worldwide infectious disease with high morbidity and fatality rates. It is commonly found in tropical areas, such as Indonesia. Dengue fever can also afflict the child-age population. However, it can be simply tested using a routine hematological examination. This study aimed to describe characteristics of routine hematologic parameters of pediatric inpatients with Dengue infection.
Subjects and Method: A descriptive study was conducted at PKU Muhammadiyah Sampangan Hospital, Surakarta Central Java, Indonesia. Secondary data of 74 inpatient children suffering from dengue infection from January 2023 to July 2023 were collected from medical records. Observation of routine hematologic test records was conducted to evaluate hemoglobin levels, hematocrit values, platelet counts, and leukocyte counts. Data were descriptively reported on frequency (n) and percent (%).
Results: The most prevalent age range for children with dengue infection is 5-12 years (59.5%), with males accounting for 51.4%. Laboratory abnormalities in dengue patients include low platelets (97.5%), a low number of leukocytes (86.5%), and an increase in monocytes (56.8%). Meanwhile, hemoglobin, hematocrit, eosinophils, basophils, and lymphocytes were all within normal ranges.
Conclusion: The majority of children with dengue infection were male, aged 5 to 12 years. Most of the infected children have abnormal laboratory profiles, including a decrease in platelets and leukocytes and an increase in monocytes.
Keywords: dengue, routine blood test, pediatrics
Correspondence: Emirza Nur Wicaksono. Master’s Program in Public Health, Universitas Sebelas Maret. Jl. Ir. Sutami 36A, Surakarta 57126, Central Java, Indonesia. Email: emirza.wicaksono@gmail.com. Mobile: +6281770247207