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VOLUME 3 , ISSUE 2 ( April-June, 2021 ) > List of Articles

Case Files

Chikungunya in Infants: A Case Series

Vaishnavi Bhimana, Lalitha Janakiraman

Citation Information : Bhimana V, Janakiraman L. Chikungunya in Infants: A Case Series. Pediatr Inf Dis 2021; 3 (2):77-78.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10081-1289

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 14-07-2021

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2021; The Author(s).


Abstract

Introduction: Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes—Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Though Indian subcontinent is known to be an endemic area for Chikungunya, it is rare in infants. During the recent outbreak, vesiculobullous blistering was noticed in infants and aphthous-like skin lesions in adults. Here we are presenting a case series of 15 infants who were diagnosed with chikungunya with similar presentations. Results: The median age of infants was 5 months and 10/15 (67%) were less than 6 months and 8/15 (53.3%) were males. Fever was present in all the infants with biphasic fever noted in 7/15 cases (46%). Skin manifestations were noted in all infants. Flaccid vesiculobullous lesions were noted on day 3–5 of fever with peeling of skin in 2nd week of illness in 11/15 (73.3%) infants. Three infants had maculopapular rash, which was noticed on day 2 of fever. Rash was noted in the legs (8/15) in all the infants with majority of them involving the medial aspect of the thigh. Flushing was present in 9/15 (60%). Conjunctivitis (nonexudative) was noted in 5/15 (33.3%) infants. The course was complicated by PICU stay in 5/15 (33%) infants. The median day of discharge was day 8 of illness (range—6–11 days). Conclusion: Infants with chikungunya have a peculiar presentation in the form of extensive cutaneous involvement. As chikungunya is an epidemic disease in India, with the above clinical presentation the possibility of chikungunya should be considered.


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