Sickle cell disease implicated in the development of severe dengue: A pediatric case series.

Abstract

Dengue poses a considerable risk to individuals with sickle cell disease. This report presents six cases of male pediatric patients (mean age 9.7 ± 4.8 years) with a hemoglobin S mutation, all of whom exhibited clinical manifestations consistent with dengue infection. Diagnosis was confirmed using NS1 antigen, serology (IgM/IgG), and RT-PCR, identifying all cases as dengue virus serotype 2. All patients had warning signs at presentation; three were severe, four required intensive care, and one died from dengue shock. Early identification and management are critical to reduce mortality in children with hemoglobin S mutations during dengue epidemics.