12 years old but weighs more than 80kg, boy in critical condition after 3 days of fever

(Dan Tri) - A 12-year-old boy weighing 83kg, twice the normal weight of his peers, was hospitalized in a state of severe dengue shock after only 3 days of illness.

On July 7, Dr. Nguyen Minh Tien, Deputy Director of the City Children's Hospital (HCMC) informed that this unit had just successfully saved the life of a 12-year-old boy with severe obesity who suffered from severe dengue shock with many dangerous complications.

Patient TNMK, residing in Binh Chanh district, weighs 83kg, far exceeding the average of 34-36kg for this age group, and is diagnosed with obesity.

Medical history investigation showed that the child had a high fever for 3 consecutive days. On the 4th day, the child developed severe symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting brown fluid, and cold hands and feet. The family immediately took the child to the City Children's Hospital.

Here, doctors diagnosed the child with severe dengue shock, accompanied by blood clotting disorders, gastrointestinal bleeding, liver damage and severe respiratory failure due to obesity.

Doctors quickly implemented active treatment measures. The child was given high molecular fluids, combined vasopressors, and anti-shock support.

To overcome respiratory failure, the child was supported with continuous positive airway pressure and non-invasive ventilation. At the same time, coagulopathy and gastrointestinal bleeding were treated with blood transfusions, fresh frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate, platelet concentrates and vitamin K1. Liver support measures were also applied.

After nearly 7 days of treatment, the child's condition improved significantly. The patient was alert, breathing fresh air on his own, liver and kidney function returned to normal, and he was successfully removed from the ventilator. The child is currently continuing to recover well.

According to doctors, obese children, infants or those with early shock on the 3rd or 4th day of the disease are at risk of severe progression, making treatment difficult. Through this case, Dr. Tien recommends that parents should take their children to a medical facility immediately if they have a high fever for more than 2 days and show dangerous signs.

Symptoms include restlessness, tossing and turning, lethargy, confusion or delirium; nosebleeds, bleeding gums, vomiting blood or black stools; abdominal pain, vomiting; cold hands and feet, lethargy, refusal to eat or drink or breastfeed.

In addition, dengue fever vaccine is now available for children 4 years of age and older and adults. People can get vaccinated to prevent the risk of dengue fever.

Parents also need to pay attention to a proper diet for their children to avoid obesity. This condition can increase the risk of serious complications when suffering from dengue fever such as respiratory failure, blood clotting disorders, and liver and kidney damage.

If necessary, parents can consult a nutritionist to develop a diet appropriate for their child's age.

In addition, Dr. Tien also warned that when children show unusual signs, families need to take them to the hospital immediately, even at night, for timely diagnosis and treatment.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/12-tuoi-nhung-nang-hon-80kg-cau-be-nguy-kich-sau-3-ngay-sot-20250707125116942.htm