CLINICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PEDIATRIC PATIENTS HOSPITALIZED WITH DENGUE IN A REFERRAL HOSPITAL (2023–2024)

Abstract

Introduction: Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and is highly prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, representing a major public health concern, particularly among pediatric populations. Objective: To identify the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of pediatric patients diagnosed with dengue and hospitalized in a referral hospital during the 2023–2024 period. Methods: This was an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study including pediatric patients aged 0 to 15 years with laboratory-confirmed dengue. Data were obtained from epidemiological surveillance records and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 459 patients were included, with a predominance of males (55%) and a mean age of 9 years. Most patients originated from urban areas (78.4%), with the highest frequency observed in the 5–14-year age group (79.5%). The most common symptoms were fever (97%), vomiting (63%), and abdominal pain (42%). Dengue with warning signs accounted for 63.8% of cases, while severe dengue occurred in 5.4%. DENV-2 was the predominant serotype (88.8%). Pediatric intensive care admission was required in 5.4% of cases, and the mortality rate was 0.2%. Conclusion: Dengue predominantly affects school-aged children living in urban areas, with a high circulation of the DENV-2 serotype. These findings highlight the importance of continuous epidemiological surveillance and targeted preventive strategies in pediatric populations.