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

Backgrounds: Dengue fever, caused by the dengue virus, is characterized by symptoms ranging from mild fever to severe hemorrhagic manifestations. Hypocalcemia has been identified as a common biochemical abnormality in dengue patients, potentially exacerbating disease severity. This study explores the impact of calcium supplementation on clinical outcomes in hypocalcemic dengue patients. The primary objective was to assess the efficacy of calcium supplementation in improving clinical outcomes among dengue patients with hypocalcemia.

Methods: A total of 150 dengue patients at our tertiary care hospital were included in this study. Patients were categorized based on their calcium levels and disease severity. Those with moderate to severe hypocalcemia received daily oral calcium supplementation (500 mg). The duration of hospital stay and resolution of symptoms were compared between supplemented and non-supplemented groups.

Results: In a study of 150 dengue patients, 40.7% had hypocalcemia, with severe cases linked to higher incidences of DHF and DSS. Hypocalcemia patients had worse outcomes, including lower platelet counts and poorer liver and renal function. Calcium supplementation reduced hospital stays from 3.6 to 3.13 days in patients with mild hypocalcemia. The results emphasize the importance of monitoring and managing calcium levels to improve recovery and outcomes in dengue patients. These findings suggest routine calcium monitoring and early intervention could mitigate severe dengue complications.

Discussion: The study demonstrates that calcium supplementation can significantly improve clinical outcomes in dengue patients with hypocalcemia. Faster resolution of symptoms and reduced hospital stays highlight the potential benefits of incorporating calcium supplementation into the treatment regimen for hypocalcemic dengue patients.

Conclusion: Calcium supplementation in hypocalcemic dengue patients is associated with improved clinical outcomes and shorter hospital stays. This finding supports the use of calcium supplementation as a therapeutic intervention in the management of dengue fever.