City hospitals have started checking every dengue-affected child′s ferritin levels upon admission to rule out "hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis" (HLH), an inflammatory condition that can swiftly prove fatal.

This year, a large number of kids in the city, primarily those under five and those between the ages of 10-15, have reported experiencing severe dengue symptoms, such as sudden reductions in platelet count and plasma leakage. These symptoms need intensive care.

Dr. Sumant Patil, the head paediatric intensivist at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, said that the disease can be controlled with early identification and treatment with steroids and other immunosuppressive medications. He emphasized the significance of carrying out serum ferritin assay, which can be done in any appropriate laboratory setting. He said that the analysis is crucial since there are an increasing number of dengue patients with elevated ferritin levels, leading to higher morbidity and mortality and rapid health deterioration.

HLH is typically linked to or brought on by hematological (blood diseases) illnesses. A primary hyper-inflammatory response involving heart dysfunction and blood coagulation issues has been observed in many dengue-affected youngsters, which worsens the dengue shock state and consequences. However, at the moment, Dengue appears to be inducing a clinical reaction like HLH, resulting in fast deterioration, and an early diagnosis can save lives.

Experts also underlined that one of the major factors contributing to this growth is better knowledge among physicians to look into patients who are not responding to conventional treatment methods.

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/diagnostics/pune-doctors-prescribe-ferritin-tests-to-rule-out-dengue-hlh-in-kids/94635466)