Health authorities have warned of a growing spread of dengue among children, noting that some infected children are developing serious complications even after recovering from the illness.
Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (LRH) said dengue can, in rare cases, lead to complications affecting the brain, while also causing severe muscle and bone pain and potentially affecting the heart.
He further warned that if a child continues to experience a persistent fever beyond the usual recovery period of seven to eight days, without regaining appetite or becoming active and cheerful, it may indicate a rare immune-related condition known as Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).
Dr. Perera advised parents to continue eliminating mosquito breeding sites while taking steps to prevent mosquito bites, particularly between 5.00 p.m. and 7.00 p.m. He recommended keeping windows closed during these hours and dressing children in long-sleeved shirts and long trousers to reduce mosquito exposure.
He said the common symptoms of dengue include fever, pain behind the eyes, headaches, body aches and joint pain. However, doctors have recently observed uncommon complications following dengue infection, including neurological disorders, muscle inflammation, heart-related complications and prolonged fever associated with immune system abnormalities.
Dr. Perera also noted that children with persistent high fever after recovering from dengue may require further medical evaluation, including Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) testing. He stressed the importance of adequate rest and increased intake of clear fluids during the recovery period.
“If a child’s platelet count falls below around 150,000, we may need to admit the child to hospital for further investigations and close observation. If the child develops dengue haemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome, they must be hospitalised and monitored for at least 48 hours, or longer depending on their condition,” he said.
Emphasising that dengue remains a potentially fatal disease, Dr. Perera urged the public to remain vigilant as hospitals continue to record an increase in cases.
Meanwhile, the National Dengue Control Unit reported that more than 1,200 dengue cases were detected during the previous day.
According to the unit, 57,668 dengue cases have been reported across Sri Lanka so far this year, with the Western Province recording the highest number of infections.
Dengue control programmes were also carried out in several areas today, during which government institutions were inspected for mosquito breeding sites.