13/10/2022
Monitoring the haematocrit (Hct) in Dengue:
The haematocrit (and not the haemoglobin) is the only test that shows haemoconcentration or increased vascular permeability (plasma leakage). The Hct reflects disease evolution and suggests therapeutic response.
In children and pregnant women and if possible, in all patients, measure a reference Hct (Hct 0) at the first visit (during the febrile phase or before the critical phase).
Measure baseline Hct on admission before administering fluid boluses (Hct 1) for all patients and then minitor Hct. An increase in the Hct with a rapid drop in the platelet count (≤ 100 000/mm3) is a warning sign. In case of hemodynamic instability or signs of shock:
An increased or a persistently high Hct (> 50% in men or an increase relative to the previous Hct in women and children) indicates severe plasma leakage;
A decrease in Hct (< 40-45% in men, < 35-40% in women and children 1 year and older, < 30-35% in children under 1 year) may indicate a haemorrhage.
Leukopenia (< 5 000/mm3) is frequent.
On this page Dengue fever is an arbovirus transmitted to humans by the bite of a mosquito (Aedes). Transmission by transfusion of contaminated blood and transplacental transmission to the foetus have also been reported. Four different serotypes of dengue have been described. Infection with one serot...
