Managing Dengue in Newborns: A Guide for Parents

Author :-

Dr.Murali Mohan

Paediatrics

Introduction: Understanding dengue fever in newborns

Mosquitoes spread dengue fever, also known as 'breakbone fever,' a viral disease that annually affects millions of people worldwide. Tropical and subtropical climates are experiencing a surge in dengue fever; however, its recent global surge has made it a prevalent disease, with newborns and babies being among the most vulnerable groups. Therefore, it is crucial to educate people about the symptoms, prevention, and treatments of dengue in babies, ensuring they receive the necessary care and protection.

This report is an all-inclusive guide for parents on how to identify, treat, and prevent dengue fever in newborns using facts and steps in effective management.

What is dengue fever (breakbone fever)?

In humans, the mosquito vector Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of the dengue virus. Between 100 million and 400 million worldwide infections occur every year. Southeast Asia, South America, and parts of Africa are the most commonly affected regions. The severity can range from mild to fatal, necessitating an intensive care hospital stay, with infants exhibiting some of the most significant characteristics on the list of risks.

How Dengue Affects Newborns and Young Children

Given the primitive nature of newborns' immunity systems, dengue has proven to be highly lethal for them. Occasionally, the infant receives a temporary form of immunity from the mother's body, but this is not reliable. Dengue is far worse in newborn babies than it would be in older children and adults because the infant's immune reaction to the virus hasn't yet caught up.

Overview of Dengue in Paediatrics

Breakbone fever symptoms: recognizing dengue in newborns & infants

Common Symptoms of Dengue in Newborns

The onset of dengue symptoms in newborns is difficult to notice at the beginning stage. General symptoms accompany the infection when it sets in.

Fever over 102 F or 39 C.
Either being drowsy or cranky
Rash that covers the whole body
Vomiting & diarrhoea.
Poor feeding and loss of appetite

How Dengue Symptoms May Differ in Infants

Contrarily, infants under six months of age rarely experience classic dengue, a condition known for its classic severe myalgias and arthralgias, also known as 'breakbone fever.' Infants are unexpectedly lethargic, fussy, or irritable, or may feed poorly, which warrants prompt presentation to a healthcare provider.

Look out for these warning signs

Sudden onset and continuous high grade fever
Poor feeding & lethargy
Shallow breathing or very rapid breathing
Bleeding from nose, gums, under the skin
Vomiting blood

Causes and Transmission of Dengue Fever

Causes of Dengue: How the Virus Spreads

There are four serotypes of this virus, that is, DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4. These four serotypes theoretically have the potential to infect a patient with dengue fever up to four times. Human-to-mosquito transmission is how infected mosquitoes contract the disease.

Risk Factors for Newborns and Infants

Newborn babies are more susceptible to severe dengue for the following reasons:

The immature immune system prevents newborns from developing proper immunity.

The presence of maternal antibodies can sometimes exacerbate the condition.

Continued residence in endemic areas can increase the risk of dengue transmission in urban areas for the following reasons: Almost every location in a tropical region has some stagnant water or standing water within it, which is its breeding ground.

Common Reasons for Dengue Outbreaks

Some areas have stagnant water or standing water; they have developed a dense population of mosquitoes.
Cannot act to monitor breeding
There is a significant increase in urbanisation in certain areas, which is accompanied by high levels of congestion.
Climate change is leading to emergent populations of available mosquitoes.

Diagnosing Dengue in Newborns

Newborn babies can rely on clinical manifestations and laboratory tests to establish their diagnosis. Blood tests will likely serve as the primary diagnostic method, determining whether the patient carries the virus or antibodies.

How Dengue Fever is Diagnosed in Infants

Identifying the dengue virus or its antibodies through laboratory blood tests is a crucial part of the initial proper diagnosis and treatment.

The importance of early diagnosis for effective treatment

Early diagnosis of dengue will prevent casual handling of the disease in babies. Prompt diagnosis of dengue fever in babies allows for supportive treatment or prevention of life-threatening complications that could lead to death.

Dengue Fever Treatment for Newborns

Effective dengue fever treatments for infants

Researchers have not developed a specific antiviral therapy to combat dengue fever; instead, supportive care remains the mainstay of disease management. Relief of symptoms, prevention of dehydration, and careful monitoring for signs of severe dengue remain the cornerstones of the therapy.

Medicine for Dengue: What’s Safe for Newborns?

For these newly-born babies, their parents should not administer non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, since they cause internal haemorrhaging. Acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol, is the drug of choice for treating fever and relieving pain.

Supportive Care for Dengue in Newborns

This supportive management includes the following members:

Fluid replacement: Fluid resuscitation is the hour of need. You can administer oral rehydration solutions according to your needs.

Temperature control: We treated dengue fever with acetaminophen.

Observation: It's important to follow up on dengue baby cases, conducting scheduled assessments and monitoring for any concerning symptoms that could indicate the disease.

Understanding dengue fever medication is crucial for parents

Medications used to treat dengue fever

The Suspensions or Infusions used for Dengue Fever Therapy include Acetaminophen, which is used for fever & pain. It almost has mild side effects but causes accumulation in the liver when taken repeatedly.

When to Use Medication for Dengue in Newborns

You should only administer dengue medications to an infant after consulting a professional healthcare provider.

Potential Side Effects of Dengue Medicines

One might prescribe dengue medication, which has relatively low side effects. However, prolonged use of acetaminophen can cause hepatotoxicity, so it's important to monitor the doses over time.

Home care and management for dengue in newborns

Tips for Managing Dengue at Home

Effective fever control by using paracetamol and tepid sponging
Adequate hydration by frequent feeding and if required use ORS
Monitor urine output and watch for danger signs

How to keep your newborn comfortable during recovery

You should allow your baby to wear light clothing.
A cool, damp cloth will soothe your baby's fever-induced distress.
Maintain a calm and noise-free environment as you are helping your baby relax from distress.

The role of nutrition and hydration in recovery

Rehydration refers to replenishing lost fluids through intermittent BF or full ORS. Additionally, the baby should not miss any scheduled feedings.

Dengue Prevention: Protecting Newborns from Dengue

Preventing Dengue in Newborns and Infants

Prevention through avoiding mosquito bites is the best cure for preventing dengue infection in babies. Some of these measures are:

Mosquito net covered cribs.
The baby is dressed in long sleeves and trousers.
Screening windows or repellents for babies

Environmental and Preventive Measures Against Mosquito Bites

Ensure that the environment is completely dry & free from water to prevent mosquito breeding.

We use mosquito repellents and spray insecticides in areas that pose a risk.

Maintaining good hygiene and properly ventilating the living space is crucial.

Complications of Dengue Fever in Newborns

Potential health risks and complications for newborns

Complications from severe dengue cases, particularly those that include the following, can sometimes prove fatal.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever: The patient will likely suffer from bleeding and plasma leakage into the organs, which leads to shock.

Dengue hemorrhagic shock is a severe condition that can result in extreme hypotension and other organ failure.

How to Identify Severe Dengue and When to Seek Emergency Care

If an infant with dengue develops any of the following conditions, call emergency services immediately:

Vomiting or refusing feeds
Bleeding (gums, nose, and stool)
Laboured breathing and especially lethargy.
Shock symptoms (cool clammy skin, rapid heart rate )

Dengue in Paediatrics: Broader Context and Awareness

Understanding the paediatric impact of Dengue

The threat of dengue has steadily increased in paediatric practices, particularly among children under one-year-old, due to the severe complications associated with the disease. One of the most significant measures that the CDC and WHO have taken to address the issue of dengue among children is to increase community awareness.

Raising awareness about dengue in children

Health campaigns at the level of mosquito prevention can achieve public awareness of dengue infection; paediatricians must raise awareness about the early symptoms, signs, and signs of dengue infection in the preventive stage.

Conclusion

One for the newborns. In a newborn, dengue is the most severe form of the disease. If the newborn had received the appropriate attention and consumed the medication on time, the illness would not have been as fatal. Understanding the manifestations and symptoms, as well as the treatment measures, is crucial. There is even prevention. Understand these measures so that parents can take action to ensure the safety of their newborn. Healthcare providers appropriately manage newborn babies with confirmed dengue diagnosis.

FAQ's

1 Do babies get dengue?

Indeed, if an infected mosquito bites a newborn baby, the virus also infects them. They are particularly vulnerable, as their immune system is still developing.

2 What are dengue symptoms in newborns?

Some common symptoms of dengue in newborn babies are fever and irritability, rash, vomiting, and lethargy.

3 Does dengue seriously threaten a newborn?

Newborn dengue is the most severe and leads to complications of dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome.

4 How do we diagnose dengue in newborn babies?

Blood tests help diagnose this disease by determining whether viruses or antibodies are present in the blood.

5 How can I prevent my baby from contracting dengue?

Cover them with mosquito nets, get the child properly wrapped in protective clothes, and remove any standing water around your home.