Vol. 11, Issue 4, Part B (2024)

Background: Dengue fever, a viral infection transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, poses a significant public health challenge in tropical and subtropical regions. The disease manifests in various forms, ranging from mild febrile illness to severe dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Recent studies have highlighted hypocalcemia as a potential marker of disease severity in dengue patients.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of hypocalcemia in dengue fever and to assess its correlation with disease severity and patient outcomes.

Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at our tertiary care hospital, including 150 dengue patients diagnosed by NS1 antigen or Dengue IgM. Patients were stratified into categories based on dengue severity and calcium levels were monitored. Those with moderate and severe hypocalcemia received oral calcium supplementation.

Results: The study included a total of 150 dengue patients, consisting of 104 males and 46 females, with a mean age of 39.1 years. Hypocalcemia was observed in 40.7% of these patients, with 20% experiencing mild hypocalcemia, 14% moderate hypocalcemia, and 6.7% severe hypocalcemia. A notable correlation was found between hypocalcemia and the severity of dengue, as severe hypocalcemia was significantly associated with dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Patients with hypocalcemia generally had longer hospital stays.

Discussion: The findings suggest a strong correlation between hypocalcemia and dengue severity. Calcium supplementation appears to improve outcomes in hypocalcemic patients by reducing the duration of hospital stay.

Conclusion: Monitoring calcium levels in dengue patients can provide valuable insights into disease severity and guide treatment strategies. Calcium supplementation could be a beneficial intervention for hypocalcemic patients to improve clinical outcomes.