SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Dengue: To Feed or Not to Feed

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This case describes a 22-year-old postpartum woman who presented with 4 days of fever, myalgias, retro-orbital headache, nausea, abdominal pain, and a petechial rash after recent travel to Northern Mexico with multiple mosquito bites. Several family members had similar symptoms. Exam showed tachycardia, a faint petechial rash, and mild right upper quadrant tenderness. Labs revealed thrombocytopenia (platelets 56,000) and a positive dengue fever IgM; abdominal ultrasound showed a mildly distended gallbladder with a mobile gallstone. She was treated supportively with IV fluids, acetaminophen/NSAIDs, and antiemetics, then discharged with instructions to continue breastfeeding.<br /><br />The presentation highlights dengue virus, which is transmitted mainly by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and can range from mild febrile illness to severe dengue hemorrhagic fever. The case also addresses an important clinical question: whether breastfeeding should continue when the mother has dengue. Although dengue viral components have been detected in human milk, there is insufficient evidence proving transmission through breastfeeding. Both the CDC and WHO recommend continuing breastfeeding in infected mothers because the benefits, including passive immunity for the infant, outweigh the low suspected risk of transmission.<br /><br />The case emphasizes that dengue should be considered in febrile returning travelers, especially from endemic regions such as Mexico and the Caribbean, and that breastfeeding is generally recommended to continue during maternal dengue infection.

Asset Subtitle

Bryan A. Richie

Meta Tag

Author List Bryan A. Richie, Henry R. Kramer, Tennyson Jellins

Category Clinical Vignettes

Concept Dengue Fever

Concept Fever

Concept Thrombocytopenia

Concept Breastfeeding

Concept Supportive Management

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Burnett School of Medicine at Texas Christian University

Presenting Author Bryan A. Richie

Track Adult

Keywords

dengue fever

postpartum

breastfeeding

Aedes aegypti

thrombocytopenia

mosquito bites

returning traveler

petechial rash

Mexico travel

supportive care

Dengue Fever

Fever

Thrombocytopenia

Breastfeeding

Supportive Management