Objective:

To identify risk factors for hospitalization and severe dengue fever in children and describe the outcomes during the 2023-2024 epidemic in the French Caribbean.

Approach:

• Study Design: A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted in two tertiary hospitals in Martinique and French Guiana from January 1, 2023, to August 31, 2024.
• Participants: Pediatric patients aged <18 years with biological confirmation of dengue fever were included.
• Diagnosis: Dengue fever was diagnosed using RT-PCR, DENV IgM antibodies, or NS1 antigen.
• Data Collection: Data were collected from computerized medical records by senior pediatricians.
• Statistical Analysis: Logistic regression was used to estimate associations between variables and hospitalization.

Key Findings:

• Out of 14,049 consultations for fever, 1,766 (12.6%) were confirmed dengue cases.
• 1,284 children were included, with 726 from Martinique and 558 from French Guiana.
• DENV-2 was the predominant serotype in Martinique, while both DENV-2 and DENV-3 were present in French Guiana.
• Sickle cell disease (SCD) was associated with a significantly increased risk of hospitalization (OR, 15.15).
• The case fatality rate (CFR) was 0.4%, lower than reported in other regions.

Interpretation:

The study provides insights into the pediatric dengue fever cases during the 2023-2024 epidemic in the French Caribbean.

Limitations:

• Potential health care overconsumption due to access to the French health care system.
• Inability to determine if patients had experienced their first or subsequent dengue episodes.

Conclusion:

Findings may support further research into clinical management strategies for children as DENV emerges in new regions.