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Population-based studies of varicella complications
Pediatrics
|October 1, 1986
Summary
Varicella (chickenpox) causes significant morbidity, with acute cerebellar ataxia common in children and pneumonia frequent in adults. This viral illness leads to thousands of hospitalizations and doctor visits yearly in the U.S.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Varicella (chickenpox) is a common viral infection with potential complications.
- Understanding the incidence and types of varicella complications is crucial for public health management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present population-based data on varicella complications.
- To identify the most common complications in children and adults.
- To estimate the annual burden of varicella-related hospitalizations and physician visits in the U.S.
Main Methods:
- Utilized national sample surveys for hospitalizations and physician office visits.
- Reviewed medical records for all varicella cases in Olmsted County, Minnesota, during a defined period.
Main Results:
- Acute cerebellar ataxia is the most frequent neurologic complication in children (<15 years), occurring in about 1 in 4,000 cases.
- Varicella pneumonia is the most common complication in adults, leading to hospitalization in approximately 1 in 400 cases.
- Varicella results in an estimated 4,000 hospitalizations and 364,000 physician office visits annually in the U.S.
Conclusions:
- Varicella remains a significant cause of morbidity in both children and adults.
- Specific complications like ataxia in children and pneumonia in adults require attention.
- The study highlights the ongoing public health impact of varicella infections.