Comments on 'Current emerging situation of dengue in India': with regard to the clinical and laboratory characteristics of paediatric dengue in India

Dengue is a major public health problem in India. We evaluated clinical and laboratory characteristics of 700 suspected dengue patients below the age of 12 years. Serum samples of the patients were analysed for dengue NS1 antigen and IgM antibody by ELISA, and were correlated with clinical and haematological parameters. The positivity percentage of the serological tests showed an inverse relationship with age. Positive NS1 antigen and IgM antibody results were significantly associated with patients aged less than 3 years and more than 3 years, respectively. Maximum association with features of haemodynamic instability was seen in infants.The haemorrhagic manifestations of thrombocytopaenia, leucopaenia and anaemia were associated more with older age groups. This study provides evidence for age-related differences in clinical and laboratory features of paediatric dengue in an Indian setting.