All issues > Volume 30(8); 1987

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1987;30(8):837-845. Published online August 31, 1987.

Clinical Study of 12 Cases of Korean Hemorrhagic Fever in Childhood.

Dae Kyung Ko¹, Keyun Haeung Cho¹, Ji Tae Choung¹, Pyung Hwa Choe¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

Korean hemorrhagic fever (KHF) is an acute, rodent-bom, viral illness (Hantaanvirus) which is characterized by widespread abnormalities of blood vessels, chiefly arterioles and capillaries. The vascular abnormaliteis lead to impairment of function in a number of organs with resulting bleeding tendency and renal failure. KHF was recognized for the first time in Korea in 1951. In recnt years the disease has invaded the southern parts of the Korean peninsula. Previously many investigators evaluated the clinical features of KHF in adult during last decades but those in childhood was rare. 12 cases of KHF in pediatric age, who were admitted to Korea University hospital from 1979 to 1986 and diagnosed by clinical findings and indirect fluorescent antibody test, were analysed on the standpoint of clinical symptoms and signs, laboratory findings and other routine studies. The result were 1) The peak incidence was after school-age. The male to female ratio was 5:1 2) The most prevalent season was between late fall and early winter and the most prevalent area was Kyung Gi Do. 3) The most frequent phase at admission was oliguric phase. Clinical manifestations were noted in order of fever, abdominal pain, petechiae on conjunctiva and axilla, nausea and vomiting, and headache. The fever persisted for 7.4±2.2 days and the oliguria persisted for 3.9±1.4 days. 4) Leukocytosis was seen in 8/10, elevated ESR in 11/12 and thrombocytopenia in 6/12. 5) Proteinuria was seen in all cases and hematuria in 6/12. 6) Serum BUN level was increased in all cases and reached the peak level on 9.1 ± 4.4 days after the onset of the disease. The peak level was 84.8 ±48.8 mg/dl. Serum creatinine level was increased in all cases and reached the peak level on 10.3 ±5.1 dyas after the onset of the disease. The peak level was 6.0 ±3.9 mg/dl 7) SGOT level over 40 IU/L was seen in 7/12 and SGPT level over 30 IU/L in 6/12. 8) Two cases expired due to sepsis and pulmonary hemorrhage.

Keywords :Korean Hemorrhagic Fever.