Aims and background: To assess the effectiveness of vitamins C and E supplementation in the treatment of dengue fever (DF) and to evaluate their impact on clinical outcomes such as platelet count, hospital stay duration, and overall recovery. DF, a mosquito-borne viral illness, poses significant health challenges, especially in tropical regions. The management of DF often includes supportive care, but there is growing interest in the role of antioxidants such as vitamins C and E in treatment. This review evaluates the efficacy of these vitamins in managing DF, particularly focusing on their impact on platelet counts, immune response, and clinical outcomes.
Materials and methods: A narrative review was conducted by searching PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and citation tracking for studies published between 2010 and 2020. The search focused on observational, laboratory, and intervention studies that investigated the effects of vitamins C and E on DF. A total of 17 relevant articles were included.
Results: Vitamin C supplementation was associated with increased platelet counts, shorter hospital stays, and improved white blood cell (WBC) counts. Vitamin E treatment showed improvements in various clinical and hematological indicators, including enhanced platelet counts and reduced need for platelet transfusions. However, studies lacked detailed baseline nutritional status and side effect information.
Conclusion: Supplementation with vitamins C and E may offer beneficial effects in managing DF, particularly for thrombocytopenia. Further research is needed to clarify the impact of these supplements on different patient groups and to include baseline nutritional assessments and potential side effects.
Clinical significance: The review underscores the potential benefits of vitamins C and E as adjunctive treatments for DF. Vitamin C is linked to increased platelet counts and shorter hospital stays, while vitamin E may improve platelet levels and reduce transfusion needs. These findings suggest that vitamins C and E could enhance DF management, particularly in resource-limited settings. Further research is needed to confirm these benefits and address baseline nutritional status.
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