# P-535. Dengue Fever in Children at a General Hospital from Buenos Aires, Argentina, During 2023- 2024 Dengue Season

## TL;DR

This study examines dengue fever in children in Buenos Aires, showing how symptoms and severity vary by age, with most cases being mild.

## Contribution

The study provides age-specific clinical insights into pediatric dengue cases during the 2023-2024 season in Argentina.

## Key findings

- Most dengue cases in children were mild, with only 6% moderate and 0.5% severe.
- Symptoms like myalgia and rash varied significantly by age group.
- Hospitalization was rare, with 97.5% of cases managed as outpatients.

## Abstract

Dengue fever, caused by dengue virus (DENV 1-4) and transmitted by Aedes aegypti and albopictus mosquitoes, has become a persistent public health concern in Argentina. The aim of this study was to present the clinical and laboratory characteristics of dengue cases in patients under 15 years of age at a general hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina during the 2023-2024 dengue season (EW 31/2023 and WE 30/2024, between July 30th 2023 and July 27th 2024).

We conducted an observational, descriptive, and retrospective cohort study including patients under 15 years with laboratory-confirmed dengue diagnosis during the 2023-2024 dengue season. Statistical analysis was performed using RStudio.

This study included 243 patients. 60% (n=147) male, with a median age of 11 years old. 56% (n=136) of cases occurred between EW 12 and 15 (March 17th to April 13th, 2024) and 97.5% (n=237) were managed and followed-up as outpatients. Positive diagnostic tests were NS1 antigen (n=207), IgM (n=39), and PCR (n=25). Clinical manifestations were 94% (n=228) mild, 6% (n=14) moderate, and 0.5% (n=1) severe. Myalgia was more frequent among children >6 years of age and rash among the group of 6 to 12 years of age (p< 0.05). Laboratory findings showed a median WBC count of 3,410/mm3, hematocrit 38%, and platelet count 168,000/mm3. No patients died, and one patient required transfer to another hospital due to alarm signs. Among the 6 hospitalized patients, the median age was 10 years (IQR 9- 12 years), and 85% (n=5) were males. The median hospital stay was 4.5 days. 70% (n=4) of patients were classified as moderate dengue with alarm signs.

This retrospective study reveals the age-dependent clinical characteristics of dengue infection among pediatric patients. Our findings demonstrate that while dengue predominantly presents as a mild illness across age groups, there are significant variations in symptom presentation and immunological response. It is important to consider the difference according to the age of the patients. These insights can inform clinical strategies for pediatric dengue management in endemic regions, highlighting the need for tailored diagnostic and treatment approaches across different childhood age groups.

All Authors: No reported disclosures