Clinical Scorecard: Comparative Analysis of Long-Term Outcomes After Dengue and SARS-CoV-2 Infections in Children: A Retrospective Cohort Investigation
At a Glance
Category
Detail
Condition
Postacute sequelae following dengue and SARS-CoV-2 infections
Key Mechanisms
Postinfectious immunologic responses, viral persistence, exacerbation of preexisting conditions
Target Population
Children aged 1 to 17 years in Singapore
Care Setting
Population-based national health registries and healthcare claims data
Key Highlights
Children infected with dengue had increased risk of postacute gastrointestinal sequelae, specifically appendicitis, compared to those infected with SARS-CoV-2.
Children infected with dengue showed lower overall risk and excess burden of any postacute sequelae and respiratory sequelae compared to unvaccinated COVID-19 cases.
This is the first population-wide retrospective cohort study comparing long-term postacute complications after dengue versus COVID-19 in a pediatric population.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Laboratory confirmation of dengue and SARS-CoV-2 infections via national registries.
Use of polymerase chain reaction and rapid antigen testing for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis.
Confirmatory diagnostic testing for dengue available across healthcare settings.
Management
Monitor children post-infection for multisystemic complications up to 300 days.
Consider public health strategies addressing chronic postinfectious sequelae in dengue and COVID-19 pediatric cases.
Monitoring & Follow-up
Follow-up for new-incident cardiovascular, neurologic, gastrointestinal, autoimmune, and respiratory complications from 31 to 300 days post-infection.
Use national healthcare claims data to identify postacute sequelae.
Risks
Increased risk of appendicitis and gastrointestinal sequelae after dengue infection.
Lower risk of respiratory and overall postacute complications after dengue compared to COVID-19.
Potential for chronic postinfectious sequelae in both dengue and COVID-19 pediatric infections.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Singaporean children aged 1 to 17 years with laboratory-confirmed dengue or SARS-CoV-2 infection
No specific treatment data provided; emphasis on monitoring for long-term sequelae and public health mitigation strategies.
Clinical Best Practices
Utilize national registries for accurate identification and follow-up of pediatric dengue and COVID-19 cases.
Implement long-term monitoring protocols for multisystemic complications post-infection.
Recognize and address gastrointestinal complications, especially appendicitis, in children recovering from dengue.
Incorporate findings into public health policies to mitigate chronic sequelae burden in pediatric populations.
