VERTICAL TRANSMISSION OF DENGUE INFECTION

Abstract

Dengue is a significant health concern in adults and children in many regions worldwide. Dengue infection is rarely reported in newborn babies. Here, we report a case of a 4-day-old neonate with dengue infection transmitted likely by maternofetal transmission. Mother developed fever, headache, vomiting, and generalized body aches at 38 weeks of gestation—her blood reports, including serology, confirmed dengue fever. Emergency cesarean section was carried out, and a healthy baby was born. At 4 days of life, the baby developed a fever and generalized petechial rash. The baby was admitted to the NICU of Farooq Hospital Lahore. His initial CBC revealed thrombocytopenia, dengue NS1 antigen, and anti-dengue IgM antibodies were also positive. Serial CBC showed a decreasing trend in platelet count in the next 4 days. On the 5th day of admission, the patient improved clinically and his CBC showed a rising trend in platelet count. In conclusion, vertical transmission of dengue virus is possible if infection occurs late in pregnancy. Further studies and evidence are required