A retrospective study on the effect of Vitamin C in the management of dengue fever in three different states of India

Abstract

The objective of the study was to analyze the effect of Vitamin C in the management of dengue fever in the tertiary care hospitals of selected three states of India (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Madhya Pradesh). This retrospective study was carried out for a period of 6 months from November 2017 to April 2018, in which 200 patients were selected by considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. It included 100 patients who were administered with Vitamin C and another 100 patients who were not given Vitamin C. All data were entered into the prepared PROFORMA. Mainly the increase in platelet counts and the duration of the hospital stay for both categories of patients were studied. Majority of dengue cases were in Tamil Nadu, followed by Kerala and then Madhya Pradesh depending upon the seasonal variations. Occurrence in male patients (58.5%) were more than female patients (41.5%). The most commonly affected age group ranges from 0-15 years (35.5%). Among the various types of dengue fever, a large number of patients had common dengue fever (87.5%). The 100 patients who were treated with vitamin C were mostly administered by oral routes. It was seen that the patients who were administered with Vitamin C had a greater percentage increase in their platelet count and a shorter duration of hospital stay. Study indicates that there exists an association between Vitamin C intake and length of hospital stay.