VERTICAL TRANSMISSION OF DENGUE

Abstract

Dengue is a viral infectious disease, it represents an epidemiological problem of greater relevance worldwide due to its morbidity and mortality. It is estimated to affect 40% of the global population, with nearly 400 million new cases each year, although only 25% present symptoms. Transmission in Central and South America occurs through the Aedes aegypti and A. albopictus mosquitoes, with the former being predominant in Peru.

Dengue is caused by different serotypes of the virus, and the risk of developing severe forms of the disease increases with successive infections from different serotypes. The World Health Organization classifies the disease into severe and non-severe dengue, with a subcategory of non-severe dengue with warning signs. The lethality of dengue can be high if not properly treated, but with appropriate treatment, it can be significantly reduced.

In the clinical case presented of a newborn with vertically transmitted neonatal dengue, symptoms included fever, jaundice, thrombocytopenia, and other characteristic signs. The diagnosis was confirmed with NS1 antigen tests and IgM and IgG antibodies. The patient experienced complications such as hepatomegaly and thrombocytopenia but evolved fa-vorably with appropriate treatment. The identified dengue serotype in this case was DENV-2.

Vertical transmission of dengue is uncommon but can occur and present challenges in diagnosis and management in newborns. It is important to consider dengue as a possible diagnosis in neonates with compatible symptoms such as fever, jaundice, and thrombocy-topenia, and to conduct the necessary tests to confirm the infection.