Neonatal Dengue – A Case Report

Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Neonatal dengue is a rare but potentially lethal infectious disease, infected through maternal vertical transmission during pregnancy or via mosquito bites. Case: A 3-day-old, 3120-gram female neonate was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit with fever and jaundice. Her mother was re-admitted for dengue infection 24 hours postpartum. The patient was hemodynamically stable, with
no thrombocytopenia, and underwent phototherapy to treat jaundice (total bilirubin 15,7 mg/dL, indirect bilirubin 14,8 mg/dL). Neonatal dengue was diagnosed on the third day of admission since her temperature rose to 38,8oC and the NS1 antigen was reactive. The platelet count dropped from 257,000/mm3 to the lowest count of 15,000/mm3 on the sixth day of admission with the appearance of petechiae on her face, chest, back, and abdomen. No active bleeding was observed. Adequate treatment and close hemodynamic monitoring would lead to better outcomes. Discussion: Neonatal dengue is a rare condition that can occur through vertical transmission from the mother or
horizontal transmission via mosquito vectors, with diagnosis supported by tests such as the NS1 antigen or RT-PCR. Clinical manifestations in newborns vary widely, ranging from mild fever to severe complications such as thrombocytopenia, shock, and liver dysfunction. Conclusion: Neonatal dengue is a potentially lethal infectious disease. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are needed, especially in endemic regions.