Dengue epidemic outbreak 2023: experience of a pediatric hospital in the City of Buenos Aires

Introduction. Dengue is a viral infection that can be asymptomatic or include severe manifestations. The objective of this work is to describe the characteristics of a pediatric population during the epidemic outbreak of 2023. Population and methods. Cross-sectional study that included patients with probable or confirmed dengue treated from March 13, 2023 to May 19, 2023 in a pediatric hospital in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. Results. 112 patients were included. The median age was 12 years; 58% were male. 76% came from the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. 25% had cohabitants with symptoms compatible with a suspected case. The most frequent clinical manifestations were fever, headache with retroocular pain, and myoarthralgia. The most frequent laboratory alterations were leukopenia (65%) and elevated transaminases (60%). 21% (24/112) presented warning signs and required hospitalization. Leucopenia, thrombocytopenia and increased transaminases were associated with the presence of warning signs. 53 patients were confirmed by detectable PCR-RT, serotype 2 being the most frequent. 21 patients with a positive NS1 test, 18 patients with a positive IgM and 20 patients with clinical and epidemiological links were considered probable cases of dengue. There were no cases of severe dengue. Conclusion. During dengue infection, early clinical suspicion and recognition of laboratory parameters associated with warning signs are essential for an adequate approach to the disease and early supportive treatment.