14th ICID - Poster Abstracts - International Society for Infectious ...

When citing these abstracts please use the following reference:
Author(s) of abstract. Title of abstract [abstract]. Int J Infect Dis 2010;14S1: Abstract number.
Please note that the official publication of the International Journal of Infectious Diseases 2010, Volume 14, Supplement 1
is available electronically on http://www.sciencedirect.com
Final Abstract Number: 84.032
Session: Virology and Viral Infections (Non-HIV)
Date: Friday, March 12, 2010
Time: 12:30-13:30
Room: Poster & Exhibition Area/Ground Level
Type: Poster Presentation
Complications of varicella in healthy children in Izmir, Turkey
Z. Kurugol 1 , O. Halicioglu 2 , I. Devrim 3 , G. Koturoglu 1 , F. Vardar 1 , C. Dizdarer 3 , M. Helvacı 2
1 Ege University, Izmir, Turkey, 2 Tepecik Children Hospital, Izmir, Turkey, 3 Behcet Uz Children
Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
Background: Varicella is usually a benign and self-limited childhood illness. Complications are
thought to be quite rare in immunologically healthy children. However, studies report that varicella
epidemiology is changing and that the rate of hospitalization in immunocompetent children are
more frequent than previously thought.
The purpose of the study was to describe complications of varicella requiring hospitalization in a
defined population (Izmir, Turkey) and to compare the complication of varicella with our published
study in 1997-2001.
Methods: Between 2005 and 2009, hospital records of patients admitted with complications of
varicella to three children’s hospitals in Izmir (Ege University Children's Hospital, Behçet Uz, and
Tepecik Children’s Hospital) were reviewed. Incidence and clinical spectrum of complications
were analyzed.
Results: From 2005 to 2009, 262 cases (median age, 3.8 years) were hospitalized for varicella
complications, whereas 178 cases (median age, 3 years) were hospitalized between 1997 and
2001. This resulted in a crude incidence of 8.7/100 000 population at risk (6.3/100.000
previously). There was a seasonal distribution of complications with a peak in January. The most
frequent complications were infectious complications, which were observed in 96 children
(36.6%). Pneumonia was observed in 48 children (18.5%). Superinfections of the skin were
present in 39 patients. A total of 93 (35.5%) neurologic complications were observed. Cerebellar
ataxia was most frequent neurologic complication. Infectious complications occurred more
frequently in younger children (median age: 2.5 years), whereas neurologic complications
occurred at an older age (median age: 6.3 years). Hematologic complications were seen in 9
children (3.4%). Three cases (0.1% of hospitalized patient) were dead from complications of
varicella (2 from encephalitis and 1 from pneumonia) between2005 and 2009, whereas no fatality
has been reported during previously study period (1997-2001).
Conclusion: The rate of hospitalization of children with complications of varicella is higher than
described in our previously study.