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 children. The presence of vomiting, abdominal pain and hepatomegaly in the setting of a dengue epidemic should alert clinicians to the possibility of DHF/DSS. Timely diagnosis and aggressive supportive treatment are essential for a successful outcome. Source reduction, vector control and community participation are also necessary to avert the South East Asian scenario from emerging in the Caribbean.
Teelucksingh
S
S
Lutchman
G
G
Udit
A
A
Pooransingh
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019595:Severe Dengue / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D014300:Trinidad and Tobago / Q000453:epidemiology