(P25-009-25) Serial Ultrasonography for Monitoring Fluid Accumulation in Malnourished Versus Normal Dengue Positive Children- A Longitudinal Comparative Study

Objectives: Study conducted using serial ultrasonography to identify the maximum fluid accumulation in both malnutrition and healthy dengue- positive children

Methods: The study includes data of 30 dengue positive patients ranging from 6-16 years of age. Height, weight and BMI of the patients was calculated. Based on the BMI, the patients were categorised depending on their nutritional status. 12 of the dengue positive patients were malnourished while 17 of them had normal nutritional status. Serially ultrasonography was done to monitor the levels of fluid accumulated in both the lungs separately. Ultrasound scans were started from their date of admission and were continued till they showed a decrease in the levels of fluid accumulation or when they showed signs of recovery.

Results: The median amount of pleural fluid accumulated in the right lung of malnourished patients in the 1st USG was 250 ml which increased to 300 ml in 2nd USG and reduced to 125 ml in the 3rd USG.

The median amount of pleural fluid in the right lung of patients with normal nutritional status in the 1st USG was 100 ml which increased to 200 ml in 2nd USG and reduced to 100 ml in the 3rd USG.

The difference in the median amount of pleural fluid in malnourished patients was found to be higher in all the three USG conducted. This was found to be statistically significant for the 1st and 2nd USG using a Mann-Whitney U test with a p-value < 0.05.

The median amount of pleural fluid in the left lung of malnourished patients in the 1st USG was 175 ml which increased to 200 ml in 2nd USG and reduced to 100 ml in the 3rd USG.

The median amount of pleural fluid in the left lung of patients with normal nutritional status in the 1st USG was 100 ml which increased to 150 ml in 2nd USG and reduced to 80 ml in the 3rd USG.

The difference in the median amount of pleural fluid in malnourished patients was found to be higher in all the three USG. However, this difference was not found to be statistically significant.

Conclusions: Children suffering from moderate to severe malnutrition have poor immunity and are more prone to diseases when compared to children with good nutrition. They showed a higher amount of pleural effusion with the disease progressing more quickly and requiring a longer duration of hospital stay due to slower recovery. Hence, these children were advised to consume nutritious food to enhance their immunity and promote faster recovery.

Funding Sources: None