Abstract
ABSTRACTObjective: To assess the number of cases and the profile of hospitalizations from varicella after the introduction of the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella combination vaccine in the public health system.Methods: Retrospective study in an infectious diseases pediatric hospital of reference in Southeast Brazil. The cases with a clinical diagnosis of varicella, from January 2011 to June 2016, were assessed from pediatricians’ medical records. The hospitalizations were classified into a pre-vaccine group and post-vaccine group, based on the date the vaccine was introduced (September 2013). Both groups were compared by age, sex, time of hospitalization, reason for hospitalization, hospital complications, duration of intensive care, and clinical outcome.Results: A total of 830 hospitalizations were recorded; 543 in the pre-vaccine period and 287 in the post-vaccine period, a reduction of 47.1% (p<0.001). In both periods, a similar profile in the hospitalizations was noticed: majority male; aged between one to five years old; most complications due to secondary causes (mainly skin infections); main outcome was clinical improvement and discharge from the hospital. In the pre-vaccine period, six deaths were recorded and two were recorded in the post-vaccine period.Conclusions: The profile of the hospitalizations was expected to stay the same since this study did not compare vaccinated with unvaccinated children, but hospitalizations before and after the vaccine was introduced. In accordance with the medical literature, we found a significant fall in the number of hospitalizations from varicella.
Highlights
Chickenpox is a very contagious infectious disease that is relevant around the world. 1-4 Annually, it generates around 4.2 million hospitalizations for serious complications worldwide.[4]
In accordance with the medical literature, we found a significant fall in the number of hospitalizations from varicella
Complications associated with the central nervous system (CNS) are the second leading cause of hospitalization for chickenpox.[3,6]
Summary
Chickenpox is a very contagious infectious disease that is relevant around the world. 1-4 Annually, it generates around 4.2 million hospitalizations for serious complications worldwide.[4]. 1-3 The diagnosis is clinical.[3] Confirmation occurs through viral isolation in a culture or through a polymerase chain reaction.[2]. It is generally benign, chickenpox can develop with major morbidity and mortality complications. Complications associated with the central nervous system (CNS) are the second leading cause of hospitalization for chickenpox.[3,6] Other complications include: myocarditis, nephritis, arthritis, Reye’s syndrome, hepatitis and ophthalmic lesions.[2]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Revista paulista de pediatria : orgao oficial da Sociedade de Pediatria de Sao Paulo
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
