Immune Thrombocytopenia Following Dengue Fever

Abstract

Introduction: Dengue is an endemic mosquito-borne infection in tropical countries. The manifestations vary from asymptomatic infection to classic dengue fever, to more critical forms like dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. The critical phase occurs typically within the timeline of 4-7 days from the onset of symptoms. Case Report: We, hereby, report the case of a 7-year-old girl child who initially recovered from classic dengue fever. However, she was readmitted 18 days after the onset of initial symptoms with major bleeding manifestations due to immune thrombocytopenia responding to intravenous immunoglobulin. Discussion: Dengue fever may be associated with mild to moderate thrombocytopenia in the febrile phase and moderate to severe thrombocytopenia in the critical phase. Here, the index case developed thrombocytopenia much after the expected critical phase was over. Conclusion: Awareness of this possibility and continued monitoring, even after apparent recovery from dengue, is important for detecting and managing late-onset thrombocytopenia.