Dengue haemorrhagic fever in adults: a prospective study of 110 cases

One hundred and ten adult patients hospitalized with dengue haemorrhagic fe ver (DHF) during the recent outbreak in North India were prospectively stud ied. Of these, 48 (43.6%) were grade 1, 40 (36.4%) grade II, 10 (9.1%) grad e III and 12 (10.9%) grade IV DHF. Dengue shock syndrome (DSS) was seen in 22 (20%) patients. Fever, headache, myalgias and arthralgias were the commo n symptoms seen in 100%, 80.9%, 76.2% and 52.3% patients, respectively. Spo ntaneous bleeding was seen in 62 patients (56.4%) with mucocutaneous bleedi ng being the most common (46 patients). Gastrointestinal bleeding was seen in 38 (34.5%) patients. In as many as 40 patients, the haemorrhagic manifes tations occurred after the fever had come down. Fifty-five patients (50%) r equired platelet transfusions. Twelve patients died, giving a mortality rat e of 10.9% in the present study. Prompt recognition and supportive treatmen t can be lifesaving.