Hemophagocytic syndrome associated with varicella

Abstract

Case presentation. A 14-month-old female infant with normal psychomotor development, without comorbidities. With a one-day history of fever of 40 °C, intermittent, accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting. She was taken by her parents to a private clinic without improvement with the indicated medical treatment. Subsequently, she presented clinical deterioration and was taken to a hospital, where she was diagnosed with acute febrile syndrome, diarrhea with mild dehydration, and pharyngitis. On the fourth day of evolution, she started with macules and papules that progressed to vesicles and crusts. In addition, she presented oral intolerance, dyspnea, abdominal distension, coma, and hydroelectrolytic imbalance. Therapeutic intervention. She started treatment with parenteral hydration, antivirals, intravenous steroids, and antihistamines; septic shock with respiratory distress was diagnosed, assisted mechanical ventilation was provided, and she was referred to a tertiary hospital for critical care medicine. Studies reported a 40 % right pleural effusion and hepatomegaly. She continued treatment with antibiotic therapy, parenteral hydration, antivirals, diuretics, antipyretics, and hemoderivatives, presented improvement, and continued therapeutic management. Clinical evolution. On day 18 he presented fever and hepatosplenomegaly. Tests reported elevated ferritin, triglycerides, and cytopenia, and was diagnosed with hemophagocytic syndrome that evolved with multisystemic failure and died the following day.