International travel of Korean children and Dengue fever: A single institutional analysis.
10.3345/kjp.2010.53.6.701
- Author:
Soo Han CHOI
1
;
Yae Jean KIM
;
Ji Hun SHIN
;
Keon Hee YOO
;
Ki Woong SUNG
;
Hong Hoe KOO
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. yaejeankim@skku.edu
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Dengue;
Travel;
Child;
Korea
- MeSH:
Child;
Communicable Diseases;
Dengue;
Humans;
Korea;
Surveys and Questionnaires;
Serologic Tests
- From:Korean Journal of Pediatrics
2010;53(6):701-704
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Dengue fever occurs in many popular tourist destinations and is increasingly imported by returning travelers in Korea. Since Korea is not an endemic country for dengue fever, pediatricians do not usually suspect dengue fever in febrile children even with typical presentation and exposure history. This study was performed to describe the international travel experiences and dengue fever in Korean children. METHODS: Travel histories were collected based on questionnaires completed by all patients' guardians who visited the pediatric infectious diseases clinic at Samsung Medical Center from January 2008 to December 2008. For patients who were suspected of dengue fever, a serological test was performed. RESULTS: Five hundred and seventeen children visited the pediatric infectious diseases clinic for the first time during this period. About 30% of patients who responded to the questionnaire (101/339) had experienced international travel within the last 2 years. Four patients were diagnosed with dengue fever by serological test. CONCLUSION: Increasing numbers of Korean children visit dengue endemic areas and they may return home with dengue fever. Dengue fever should be suspected in patients who have a travel history to endemic areas.
