Relationship between body size and severity of dengue hemorrhagic fever among children aged 0-14 years
Pichainarong, N.; Mongkalangoon, N.; Kalayanarooj, S.; Chaveepojnkamjorn, W.
Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 37(2): 283-288
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-1562 PMID: 17124987 Document Number: 600486
A hospital-based case-control study was conducted between October 2002 and November 2003 among children aged 0-14 years at Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health (Children's Hospital), Bangkok, Thailand. The relationship between body size and severity of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) were examined in these children. A total of 105 patients with DHF grade III or IV were included as cases, while 105 patients with DHF grade I or II served as controls. They were matched at a ratio of 1:1 by their gender and age (within 5 years). Normal growth charts were used to differentiate child body size into normal, thin and obese. Data were collected through face to face interviews with caregivers, questionnaires, and laboratory and physical examination reports. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that only 2 variables were related to DHF severity: obesity (odds ratio (OR)=3.00; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.20-7.48) and dengue virus type II (OR=4.94; 95% CI=2.57-9.47). Results of this study can be utilized in preventive and control programmes, particularly in more aggressive management of overweight children. Health personnel should continue to provide health education, particularly about signs and symptoms of shock, to the community and private sectors. Government and non-government protective projects in primary schools should be continued in high risk groups.