Abstract:

Objective To summarize the clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of 65 pediatric cases of Chikungunya fever. Methods Clinical data from 65 pediatric patients with Chikungunya fever at the department of pediatrics between August 2025 and October 2025, were retrospectively analyzed. Results Pediatric Chikungunya cases accounted for 15.9% (65/408) of all hospitalized Chikungunya patients during the study period. The male-to-female ratio was 1:0.80. Age distribution: 0-3 years: 8 cases (12.3%); 3-6 years: 11 cases (16.9%); 6-11 years: 36 cases (55.4%); and 10 cases (15.4%) aged >11 years. The mean age at onset was (7.9±3.4) years, with all cases presenting as mild. Fever was present in 58 cases (89.2%), with a fever peak of (38.8±0.67) °C and fever duration of (3.5±2.2) days. Rashes were present in 59 cases (90.8%), including generalized rashes in 38 cases (64.4%). Skin itching occurred in 35 cases (59.3%), with rashes resolving in (5.5±2.0) days. Arthralgia was reported in 32 cases (49.2%), with pain locations including: ankles in 24 cases (75.0%), knees in 11 cases (34.3%), wrists in 7 cases (21.9%), fingers in 7 cases (21.9%), and heels in 1 case (3.1%). The duration of joint pain was (3.19±1.65) days, with joint swelling occurring in 2 cases (6.2%). Twenty-nine cases (44.6%) concurrently presented with fever, rash, and joint pain. Other clinical manifestations included headache, dizziness, cough, producing sputum, sore throat, and decreased appetite, with one case (1.5%) that developed pneumonia. All children tested negative for dengue virus antigen DEVN-NS1, and a few had elevated inflammatory markers; 2 cases (3.1%) had elevated alanine aminotransferase, and 19 cases (29.2%) had elevated creatine kinase isoenzyme. Most children received symptomatic treatment, and the medications didn’t really affect how long the symptoms lasted. All cases improved or were discharged in good condition during the isolation period. Conclusion Most kids with Chikungunya showed unusual clinical symptoms, with very few severe cases.

Key words: Chikungunya fever, clinical analysis, child