The boy, Rizwan, son of Nizar Ahmed and a resident of Perambur, had been suffering from viral fever for seven days and was being treated at the local hospital.  After his platelet count started dropping, his parents took him to a private facility in Ambattur. The doctors there referred him to ICH, said Dr AT Arasar, Director of the Institute.

“We sent his blood samples for dengue as well as a general test. The general test reports showed a drop in his platelet count. However, he suddenly developed severe bleeding in his stool (melena) and suffered a shock,” he added.

Rizwan was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where treatment for the shock was provided, but he failed to respond. “We administered echocardiogram, but the child had mayo cardiac dysfunction – a condition where one’s heart muscles will not be able to pump,” said the director, adding that the child was treated for cardiac diseases as well, but failed to respond even though his bleeding stopped.

He was put on the ventilator and cardiac support was given. However, he succumbed early on Sunday morning. 

“Rizwan’s younger sister was also hospitalised at ICH and was diagnosed with dengue. However, as her older brother had passed away, their parents discharged her against medical advice to admit her at a private centre out of fear. We tried to convince her parents that Rizwan’s obesity was also a contributing factor as he was around 65 kg which is too much for a child his age. However, they preferred to discharge her,” added Dr Arasar.