Chikungunya infection in infants

Abstract

Introduction: the infection of chikungunya virus presents clinical manifestations variables, particularly in infants in

Clinical and laboratory profiles of children with severe chikungunya infection

“…Nonetheless, studies on pediatric cases of severe chikungunya fever resulting in hospitalization are limited. In contrast to other studies 7 , differences between infants and adolescents were not determined in our study, which could be relevant because a study in India showed distinct clinical manifestations in infants and older children 8 .…”

“…Laboratory analyses revealed an altered liver function in CHIKV-infected patients, suggesting a hepatic involvement of the virus in this age group. The number of patients with anemia was also significant, which is consistent with previous studies 7,10 . There were no fatalities in our study in contrast to previous studies reporting similar cases 10,11 .…”

“…A vesicular-bullous rash was commonly observed, primarily in children aged <6 months but also in older patients (e.g., patient 2, aged 13 years). Unlike the adult population, pediatric patients appear to exhibit severe dermatological manifestations [6][7][8][9] . Robin et al reported that 13 children aged <6 months who were hospitalized for chikungunya fever presented with severe vesicular-bullous rash 10 .…”

Pre and postnatal exposure to Chikungunya virus does not affect child neurodevelopmental outcomes at two years of age

“…While neonates may experience physiological symptoms associated with postnatal CHIKV infection (e.g., febrile seizures, diarrhea, vomiting, arthralgia/arthritis, acrocyanosis, uremia, lymphopenia, cytolysis, etc.) [ 10 , 13 , 15 – 17 , 19 , 21 , 24 , 25 ], existing evidence indicates that the vast majority of older children will recover and not experience any long-term impact of CHIKV infection [ 38 – 44 ]. Results from the current study indicate no negative impact of postnatal CHIKV infection on neurodevelopment in children at two years of age.…”

“…Neonates typically become symptomatic at four days old with symptoms of sepsis including fever, pain, hypotonia, edema, respiratory difficulties like apnea, thrombocytopenia, and symptoms of and MRI findings consistent with encephalitis and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) [ 15 , 17 , 19 , 22 , 23 ]. Infants may also experience febrile seizures, diarrhea, vomiting, arthralgia/arthritis, acrocyanosis, severe bullous, maculopapular and erythematous macular skin lesions, hypo- or hyperpigmentation, uremia, lymphopenia, cytolysis, cardiovascular decompensation, secondary bacterial infections and vital organ damage and failure including necrotizing enterocolitis, myocarditis, and pericarditis [ 10 , 13 , 15 – 17 , 19 , 21 , 24 , 25 ].…”