As Dengue swamps parts of the Indian Subcontinent, a small but special population is at a higher risk . I refer to the vulnerable Thalassaemic population. Dengue in Thalassaemia has some unusual presentation as enumerated below: 1.Such patients present with anemia (low hematocrit) rather then hemoconcentration. 2.Suspected pathophysiology is a hemolytic crisis precipitated by the infection. 3.Hepatic involvement is common.
Apart from iron overload and Transfusion transmitted hepatitis infection affecting the thalassaemic liver, the dengue virus infects the liver also as a superaddition. SGOT and SGPT are substantially raised. 4.Initial symptoms of Dengue fever is indistinguishable from other febrile illness. Management: 1.A multidisciplinary approach including the pediatrician, the hematologist,the nursing and laboratory staff and the blood bank shall be required. 2.PRC(Packed red…
