A NEW analysis has revealed that acute dengue infection is associated with higher odds of early neurological complications, raising concerns for older adults and reinforcing calls for closer postinfectious monitoring.
Rising Concerns Amid Singapore’s Dengue Landscape
The growing burden of acute dengue infection in Singapore has intensified the need for clearer evidence on its neurological impact. With global dengue incidence climbing, understanding risks beyond the immediate febrile illness has become increasingly important for clinicians and public health authorities seeking to improve surveillance and early intervention.
Methods And Key Statistical Findings
In this population-based cohort study of 65 207 adults with confirmed acute dengue infection, researchers compared outcomes with 1 616 865 uninfected individuals using national registry data from 2017 to 2023. At 30 days after infection, the dengue group showed notably higher odds of any new neurological event (aOR 9.69; 95 percent CI 6.59 to 14.90), memory loss (aOR 3.19; 95 percent CI 1.36 to 8.69), movement disorders (aOR 7.10; 95 percent CI 2.49 to 29.18), and other neurological events (aOR 14.32; 95 percent CI 8.61 to 26.04). Risk trajectories continued to diverge up to 90 days. Despite the elevated odds, the excess burden remained modest at under 1 additional event per 100 cases. Increased risks for memory loss (aOR 2.99; 95 percent CI 1.30 to 7.87) and movement disorders (aOR 6.38; 95 percent CI 2.23 to 25.96) were concentrated in adults aged 60 and over and during serotype 3 transmission periods.
Clinical Implications and Future Considerations
The findings highlight the importance of proactive neurological assessment following dengue, especially in older adults who appear more vulnerable to complications. Clinicians may need to adapt follow up protocols to include targeted neurological screening during the first 90 days after illness. Future research should explore mechanisms of neurological injury in dengue and identify early markers that help stratify risk, ultimately supporting safer and more responsive clinical care pathways.
Reference
Wee LE et al. Neurological events associated with acute dengue infection. JAMA Neurol. 2025;DOI:10.1001/jamaneurol.2025.4608.
