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| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2013 | Volume
: 59
| Issue : 2 | Page : 93-97 |
An observational study of complications in chickenpox with special reference to unusual complications in an apex infectious disease hospital, Kolkata, India
AK Kole1, R Roy1, DC Kole2
1 Department of Medicine, ID and BG Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
2 BP Poddar Hospital and Research Centre, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Correspondence Address:
A K Kole
Department of Medicine, ID and BG Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0022-3859.113811
Background: Chickenpox can cause serious complications and even death in persons without any risk factors. Aims: To observe the different complications with special reference to unusual complications of chickenpox and their outcomes. Materials and Methods: The present study was a prospective observational study where 300 patients suffering from chickenpox were evaluated with special reference to unusual complications and outcomes. Results: The usual complications of chickenpox commonly observed were acute hepatitis in 30 (10%) and cerebellar ataxia in 22 patients (7.3%), whereas common unusual complications were acute pancreatitis in 45 (15%), hemorrhagic rash in 10 (3.3%), Guillain-Barrι syndrome in 4 (1.3%), disseminated intravascular coagulation in 4 (1.3%), necrotizing fasciitis in 4 (1.3%), and acute renal failure in 3 patients (1%). It had been observed that most of these unusual complications occurred in patients without any risk factor. A total of 18 patients (6%) died in this study and of them 12 patients (4%) died due to unusual complications. Conclusions: Compulsory childhood varicella vaccination including vaccination of risk groups and susceptible individuals are all essential to reduce the incidence of chickenpox, associated complications, and subsequent death.
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