Neurological compromise in children suffering from dengue at Hospital Universitario de Neiva

Abstract

Introduction. Dengue is an arthropod-borne infection most important in the world. There is evidence of progressive increase of atypical manifestations of the disease, including neurological compromise. Objective. To determine the presence of dengue virus (VD) in a cohort of hospitalized patients with neurological manifestations between March 1, 2011 and October 31, 2012. Materials and methods. Cohort, descriptive, prospective study to determine neurological manifestations, both primary and secondary, of dengue in children under 15 years old hospitalized in the pediatric ward of the University Hospital in Neiva. It was assessed specific IgM, IgG against VD in serum and cerebrospinal fluid and a virological typification analysis was carried out. Results. Twelve (38.7%) out of 31 children with neurological symptoms were admitted in the study and were positive for VD; 83.3% primary dengue and 16.6% with secondary dengue. 58.3% are children under 1 year of age, no differences in gender distribution were observed. The predominant neurological manifestations are febrile seizures followed by encephalitis. The main causative agent found is DEN 1. The imaging findings are not specific to the virus that causes damage of the CNS. Conclusions. In endemic areas DV infection must be ruled out in patients with fever and neurological manifestations. The patients'prognosis is favorable, the damage is self-limited and recovery is complete without sequelae.