Hyperpigmentation in a Child as a Clue to Chikungunya

A 2-month-old male child presented with high-grade fever and diffuse hyperpigmentation, which was initially suspected to be due to conditions like Vitamin B12 deficiency or congenital adrenal hyperplasia. However, tests ruled these out, and chikungunya was confirmed through positive IgM serology in both the child and mother, suggesting postnatal vector transmission. The child's symptoms, including fever and dehydration, were attributed to sepsis, while the hyperpigmentation was linked to chikungunya. The child was treated with IV fluids and analgesics, leading to a gradual resolution of symptoms. This case highlights the importance of considering chikungunya in differential diagnoses for fever and pigmentary changes, especially in endemic regions, due to its varied cutaneous manifestations.