Dengue in children and young adults, a cross-sectional study from the western part of Uttar Pradesh

Background: Dengue has emerged as a major public health problem in India. It presents more aggressively among younger age groups as compared to adults. Therefore, it necessitates the accurate estimation of prevalence in younger age groups. Materials and Method: Of all the 1026 clinically suspected cases of dengue up to the age of 18 years were enrolled in this study and grouped into four age groups (Group I - <0 to 1 year, Group II- 1 to 6 years, Group III- 7 to 12 years, and Group IV- 13 to 18 years). Their blood samples were aseptically collected from different clinical departments and were submitted to the Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL), Department of Microbiology during the outbreak of 2016-17. Serum was separated and processed for dengue Non Structural Protein 1 antigen (NS1 Ag)and Immunoglobuline M antibody (IgM Ab) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All the relevant variables like age, sex, and demographic profile were recorded and statistically analyzed. Results: A total 295 of the 1026 cases were detected positive for dengue either by NS1 Ag or IgM Ab ELISA. The results show the susceptibility to dengue being increased in the order of age Group I to IV. We analyzed the outbreak of year 2016 and 2017, of these 159/483 (33%) cases and 136/543 (25%) cases, respectively, were found seropositive during these years. The months of September, October, and November are more prone to dengue infection. Conclusion: Group III and IV were more susceptible to dengue fever (DF). The months of postmonsoon season are more favorable for spread of dengue among different age groups of the population.