[Hospital admissions due to varicella in a tertiary hospital]
K P Guzmán Laura1, A Periañez Vasco1, M D Falcón Neyra1
1Sección de Infectología Pediátrica e Inmunodeficiencias, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, España.
Insights
Varicella (chickenpox) causes significant hospitalizations, particularly in healthy children under five. Routine varicella vaccination is crucial for reducing childhood illness and complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Vaccinology
Context:
- Varicella (chickenpox) can lead to severe complications and hospitalizations.
- Several countries have integrated the varicella vaccine into national immunization programs.
Purpose:
- To analyze varicella-related hospitalizations and complications in children.
- To assess the incidence and characteristics of varicella admissions.
Summary:
- A retrospective study analyzed 1192 pediatric varicella cases from 2005-2011, with 99 (8.5%) requiring admission.
- Annual varicella admission incidence was 19.4 per 100,000 children under 14.
- Complications were most frequent in healthy children under 5 (79.5%), with skin/soft tissue infections being most common (62%).
Impact:
- Varicella causes substantial morbidity, especially in young, healthy children.
- Findings support mandatory varicella vaccination to reduce disease burden.
- The study highlights the need for effective prevention strategies against varicella.
Introduction:
Varicella (chickenpox) can cause serious complications and admission to hospital. Several countries included the varicella vaccine in their immunization schedules.
Material And Methods:
A descriptive and retrospective study of hospitalizations due to varicella and its complications was conducted in a referral center from 2005 to 2011.
Results:
A total of 1192 children with varicella were seen in the emergency room, of which 99 (8.5%) required admission. The annual incidence of admissions due to varicella and varicella complications was, 19.4 and 15.3 cases per 100,000 children under 14 years, respectively. Complications were more common in children under 5 years (79.5%), and with no underlying disease (78.2%). Infection of skin and soft tissue was the most common complication (62%). The mean hospital stay was 4.5 days (SD 4).
Conclusions:
Varicella causes high morbidity, and is more frequent in absolute terms in healthy children under 5 years of age. Therefore, routine vaccination recommended by the Immunization Advisory Committee should be mandatory.
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