Hematological changes in dengue fever and their prognostic relevance

Abstract

Dengue is an arboviral disease of great public health relevance, especially in tropical and subtropical regions, responsible for high morbidity and the potential for progression to severe forms of the disease. Among the most frequent laboratory manifestations are hematological alterations, such as thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and hemoconcentration, which may reflect the progression of the infection and help identify patients at higher risk of complications. Therefore, the evaluation of these parameters becomes fundamental for clinical monitoring and therapeutic decision-making. This study aimed to analyze, through a literature review, the main hematological alterations associated with dengue virus infection and their prognostic relevance in the evolution of the disease. The analysis of the selected studies demonstrated that a reduction in platelet count, a decrease in leukocytes, and an increase in hematocrit are frequently associated with the severity of dengue, and may act as important laboratory markers in the early identification of patients at higher risk of developing severe forms of the disease. Thus, the complete blood count stands out as an essential tool in the clinical follow-up of patients with dengue fever, contributing to diagnosis, monitoring, and prognosis assessment.