Background: Admission of dengue fever/dengue hemorrhagic fever cases was on the
rise during the monsoon period of 2013 in NRI Hospital and surrounding Districts of
Coastal Andhra Pradesh. A number of deaths due to dengue fever were reported in
the previous months. Hence, a clinical study of the dengue cases was done in the
late monsoon for a period of 3 months since a large number of cases with bleeding
manifestations were referred to our Hospital for platelets transfusion from the local
hospitals and nursing homes. Aim: A Clinical study of dengue fever cases in the
extended monsoon period and to evaluate the need for platelet transfusion in dengue
fever cases. Retrospective Observational Study — Results: In the retrospective
observational study, the diagnostic serotyping was done using rapid standard diagnostic
kits. Eighty-four dengue seropositive were seen of which dengue fever cases were 55,
dengue hemorrhagic fever were 27 and dengue shock syndrome were 2 cases only.
Totally, 26 cases with dengue hemorrhagic fever whose platelet counts were below
50,000 cells/cu mm, were given random pooled donor platelet concentrates, while
two cases of dengue shock syndrome were given single donor platelet concentrates,
fresh frozen plasma and whole blood transfusion. Timely platelets transfusions in
cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome helped to prevent
severe hemorrhagic complications, and there were no deaths.
Key words: Clinical study, dengue hemorrhagic fever, monsoon period, platelet transfusions