title: Dengue hemorrhagic fever in Trinidad and Tobago: a case for a conservative approach to platelet transfusion.
abstract: Dengue fever is endemic to Trinidad and Tobago. A retrospective analysis of all adult admissions at a tertiary hospital in Trinidad treated for dengue during January 1-December 31, 2008 was performed. A total of 186 patients were treated during this period: 98.9% (184) of the patients were thrombocytopenic; 45.2% were severely thrombocytopenic; 13 patients showed development of minor hemorrhage and only one case of major hemorrhage; platelet transfusion was given for 7% (13) of the cases; and 6 cases for which platelet transfusion was given did not show evidence of plasma leakage (12 of these cases did not show evidence of hemorrhage). There was a strong association between the lowest platelet value and hemoconcentration (χ(2) = 13.16, P < 0.025). No association was found between giving a platelet transfusion and hemoconcentration or hemorrhage. Thrombocytopenia seen in dengue resolves spontaneously and independent of any transfusion used.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. anu.sharma@gmail.com
authors.forename: Anu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Charles
authors.forename: Dave
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chadee
authors.forename: Surujpaul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Teelucksingh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017713:Platelet Transfusion / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019595:Severe Dengue / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D014300:Trinidad and Tobago / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult