Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Dengue fever is a viral illness caused by the dengue virus, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female mosquitoes. The present study was conducted to assess liver dysfunction in children with dengue. Materials & Methods: 56 NS1 Ag-positive or dengue IgM-positive confirmed casesof dengue fever in children of both genderswere carefully examined and subjected to complete blood count, serum IgM and IgG antibodies, prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, liver function tests such as alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), serum bilirubin, prothrombin time (PT), the international normalized ratio (INR), total protein and albumin. etc. Results: Out of 56 patients, males were 26 and females were 30. The maximum cases of dengue without warning signs were seen in age group >6 years, with warning signs in age group 1-5 years and severe cases (9) in age group 1-5 years. The difference was significant (P< 0.05).Liver function tests in cases with dengue without warning signs, with warning signs and with severe dengue in in reference to total bilirubin was 0.61, 1.4 and 1.9 respectively. The mean serum protein was 6.2, 6.5and 6.8. albumin was 4.8, 4.6and 4.2, AST was 113.5, 168.4 and 405.2, ALTwas 94.2, 148.4 and 402.6 and alkaline phosphatase level was 120.6, 132.8 and 48.5 respectively. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: There were alterations in liver function tests in children with dengue fever.Hence early and prompt treatment is required to prevent complications.