Varicella paediatric hospitalisations in Belgium: a 1-year national survey.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Varicella universal vaccination (UV) has been implemented in many countries for several years. Nevertheless, varicella UV remains debated in Europe and few data are available on the real burden of infection. We assessed the burden of varicella in Belgium through analysis of hospitalised cases during a 1-year period.

Methods

Data on children admitted to hospital with varicella were collected through a national network from November 2011 to October 2012. Inclusion criteria were either acute varicella or related complications up to 3 weeks after the rash.

Results

Participation of 101 hospitals was obtained, covering 97.7% of the total paediatric beds in Belgium. 552 children were included with a median age of 2.1 years. Incidence of paediatric varicella hospit

SUBMITTER: Blumental S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4717424 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature