Childhood dengue shock syndrome in Trinidad

Dengue haemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS) is a major cause of hospitalisation and mortality among children in South East Asia. We now report, for the first time, the occurrence of DHF/ DSS in Trinidadian child ren. The presence of vomiting, abdominal pain and hepatomegaly in the setti ng of a dengue epidemic should alert clinicians to the possibility of DHF/D SS. Timely diagnosis and aggressive supportive treatment are essential for a successful outcome. Source reduction, vector control and community partic ipation are also necessary to avert the South East Asian scenario from emer ging in the Caribbean.