Congenital Dengue Infection: A Novel Case of Vertical Transmission of Dengue Virus in Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Dengue is a viral infection that is transmitted generally among humans through mosquito bite. This article reports a less known mode of transmission i.e., vertical transmission of dengue virus. A male newborn with normal Apgar score developed fever on the 8th day of life. The fever progressed along with an erythematous rash. There was no evidence of mosquito exposure to the baby. However, the mother had mosquito bites two days prior to her delivery. The mother also developed fever on seventh day of delivery and a maculopapular rash during her ninth postpartum day. Baseline investigations of both the mother and the neonate showed thrombocytopenia, anemia, raised liver function tests and positive Dengue NS1 antigen test. The diagnosis of dengue fever was established. This case report demonstrates the possibility of congenital transmission of dengue virus. The health care providers should be aware of and adequately trained for handling such cases. Keywords: Dengue; Blood Platelets; Infections; Thrombocytopenia; Antigens.