Varicella can cause complications that are potentially serious and require hospitalization. Our current understanding of the causes and incidence of varicella-related hospitalization in Turkey is limited and sufficiently accurate epidemiological and economical information is lacking. The aim of this study was to estimate the annual incidence of varicella-related hospitalizations, describe the complications, and estimate the annual mortality and cost of varicella in children. VARICOMP is a multi-center study that was performed to provide epidemiological and economic data on hospitalization for varicella in children between 0 and 15 years of age from October 2008 to September 2010 in Turkey. According to medical records from 27 health care centers in 14 cities (representing 49.3% of the childhood population in Turkey), 824 children (73% previously healthy) were hospitalized for varicella over the 2-year period. Most cases occurred in the spring and early summer months. Most cases were in children under 5 years of age, and 29.5% were in children under 1 year of age. The estimated incidence of varicella-related hospitalization was 5.29-6.89 per 100,000 in all children between 0-15 years of age in Turkey, 21.7 to 28 per 100,000 children under 1 year of age, 9.8-13.8 per 100,000 children under 5 years of age, 3.96-6.52 per 100,000 children between 5 and 10 years of age and 0.42 to 0.71 per 100,000 children between 10 and 15 years of age. Among the 824 children, 212 (25.7%) were hospitalized because of primary varicella infection. The most common complications in children were secondary bacterial infection (23%), neurological (19.1%), and respiratory (17.5%) complications. Secondary bacterial infections (p < 0.001) and neurological complications (p < 0.001) were significantly more common in previously healthy children, whereas hematological complications (p < 0.001) were more commonly observed in children with underlying conditions. The median length of the hospital stay was 6 days, and it was longer in children with underlying conditions (<0.001). The median cost of hospitalization per patient was $338 and was significantly higher in children with underlying conditions (p < 0.001). The estimated direct annual cost (not including the loss of parental work time and school absence) of varicella-related hospitalization in children under the age of 15 years in Turkey was $856,190 to $1,407,006. According to our estimates, 882 to 1,450 children are hospitalized for varicella each year, reflecting a population-wide occurrence of 466-768 varicella cases per 100,000 children. In conclusion, this study confirms that varicella-related hospitalizations are not uncommon in children, and two thirds of these children are otherwise healthy. The annual cost of hospitalization for varicella reflects only a small part of the overall cost of this disease, as only a very few cases require hospital admission. The incidence of this disease was higher in children <1 year of age, and there are no prevention strategies for these children other ...

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Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1)v Infection Among the Children Admitted to Süleyman Demirel UniversityAbstract Aim: We aimed to evaluate the clinical and epidemiological features of the patients that were admitted to Suleyman Demirel University Medical Faculty Pediatric Department, for whom the pre-diagnosis was H1N1v. Material and Methods: Demographic characteristics, clinical findings, laboratory tests results and radiological evaluations of 64 patients who were admitted to Suleyman Demirel University Medical Faculty Pediatric Department with pre-diagnosis of H1N1v were analyzed and evaluated. Findings: Average age of the patients who were admitted and observed with pre-diagnosis of pandemic influenza, was 32,4 months (1-188 months) and 34% (n=22) of the cases were female. Nine of the patients (14%) were confirmed for final diagnosis as H1N1v. Most common complaints during admission were cough (85,9%), fever (68,%) and weakness (57,8%). Five of the patients (55%) that are H1N1v positive had preexisting diseases. Five patients needed intensive care unit during the observation and treatment. Two (22,2%) of them did not survive. Results: Clinical findings of pandemic influenza and seasonal influenza are quite similar. Preexisting diseases increase the rates of morbidity and mortality.

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Objective Our study evaluates the epidemiological and demographics of the children who were admitted to Süleyman Demirel University, Medical Faculty, Paediatrics Department with the pre-diagnosis of pandemic influenza. Methods and Materials Demographic characteristics, clinical findings, laboratory tests results and radiological researchs of 64 patients (n = 64), who were admitted to Süleyman Demirel University, Medical Faculty Paediatric Department with the pre-diagnosis of pandemic influenza were analysed and evaluated. Results Average age of the patients, that were admitted and observed with pre-diagnosis of pandemical influenza, was 32.4 months (1–188 months) and 34% (n = 22) of the cases were female. H1N1v diagnosis was confirmed in 14% (n = 9) of the patients with pre-diagnosis of pandemiz influenza. Most common complaints during submission were severe cough (85.9%), fever (68.8%) and weakness (57.8%). Among the the patients who were H1N1v positive, 55% (n = 5) of them, had preexisting diseases. Five patients needed intensive care during the observation and treatment. Two (22.2%) of them did not survive. Conclusion Clinical findings of pandemical influenza and seasonal influenza are quite similar in children. Pre-existing diseases increase the rates of morbidity and mortality.