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Life-threatening complications of varicella
Insights
Varicella (chickenpox) in children can lead to severe, life-threatening complications, even in those with normal immunity. This highlights the need for more data to guide varicella vaccination strategies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Varicella (chickenpox) is a common childhood illness.
- Hospitalized children may experience severe complications.
- Immunocompromised status can increase risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze complications in children hospitalized with varicella.
- To assess the incidence of severe outcomes.
- To inform varicella vaccination policy.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 96 hospitalized children with varicella.
- Data collected from July 1975 to June 1980.
- Categorization of complications and patient immune status.
Main Results:
- 106 complications observed in 96 children.
- Common complications included encephalitis, bacterial infections, and Reye's syndrome.
- Hospitalization duration ranged from 1 to 38 days (median 5 days).
Conclusions:
- Varicella causes significant, life-threatening complications in children.
- Prospective data on complication incidence is needed.
- This information is crucial for determining the scope of varicella vaccination.
Abstract:
We reviewed the records of 96 children hospitalized with varicella from July 1, 1975 to June 30, 1980. Eighty-one were immunologically normal and 15 were immunocompromised on the basis of neoplasia, immunosuppressive therapy, or genetic disease. These children experienced 106 complications including viral dissemination-encephalitis (44), bacterial infection (25), Reye's syndrome (17), unusual cutaneous lesions (eight), drug overdose (five), diabetic ketoacidosis (two), neonatal infection (two), dehydration (two), and exacerbation of preexisting nephrosis (one). The length of hospitalization varied from one to 38 days with a median of five days. There were ten varicella pneumonia (one), of neonatal varicella (one), and of a ruptured mycotic aneurysm secondary to septicemia (one). This review demonstrates (1) a substantial occurrence of life-threatening complications of varicella in childhood, and (2) a need for prospective epidemiologic data on the incidence of complications to determine the scope and extent of varicella vaccination.