Health officials warn of post-dengue complications among children

Health authorities have warned of a growing spread of dengue among children, noting that some infected children are developing complications even after recovering from the illness.Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (LRH) said dengue can, in rare cases, lead to complications affecting the brain, while also causing severe muscle and bone pain and potentially impacting the heart.He further warned that if a child continues to have a persistent fever beyond the usual recovery period of seven to eight days, without showing signs of improvement such as regaining appetite or becoming active and cheerful, it could indicate a rare immune-related condition known as Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).He advised parents to continue eliminating mosquito breeding sites while also taking measures to prevent mosquito bites, particularly between 5.00 p.m. and 7.00 p.m. He recommended keeping windows closed during those hours and dressing children in long-sleeved shirts and long trousers to reduce exposure to mosquitoes.He explained that the common symptoms of dengue include fever, pain behind the eyes, headache, body aches, and joint pain. However, doctors have recently observed several uncommon complications following dengue infection, including neurological complications, muscle inflammation, heart-related complications, and prolonged fever linked to immune system abnormalities.Dr. Perera also noted that children with persistently high fever after dengue recovery may require further medical evaluation, including CPK (Creatine Phosphokinase) testing. He stressed that adequate rest and increased intake of clear fluids are important during recovery."If a child's platelet count drops below around 150,000, we may need to admit the child to hospital for further investigations and close observation. If the child develops dengue haemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome, they must be hospitalized and monitored for at least 48 hours, or longer depending on their condition," he stated. Emphasizing that dengue remains a potentially fatal disease, Dr. Perera urged the public to remain vigilant, especially as hospitals are currently seeing an increase in dengue cases.Meanwhile, the National Dengue Control Unit reported that more than 1,200 dengue cases were detected during the previous day.According to the unit, 57,668 dengue cases have been reported across Sri Lanka so far this year, with the highest number recorded in the Western Province.Dengue control programmes were also carried out in several areas today, during which government institutions were inspected for mosquito breeding sites.