Hospitalization due to varicella in the Netherlands

Hospital admissions due to varicella in 2003-2006 were obtained from the National Medical Register. Retrospectively, additional data were retrieved from the medical record of patients hospitalized with varicella in 23 Dutch hospitals using a standardized form. Analyses were performed using descriptive statistics.The study population (N = 296) was representative for all varicella admissions in the Netherlands (N = 1,658) regarding age, sex, duration of admission and type of diagnosis. Complications were recorded in 76% of the patients (37% had at least one relatively severe complication). Bacterial super infections of skin lesions (28%), (imminent) dehydration (19%), febrile convulsions (7%), pneumonia (7%) and gastroenteritis (7%) were most frequently reported. No varicella-related death occurred within the study population and 3% of the patients had serious rest symptoms.It is not likely that the severity of varicella among hospitalized patients in the Netherlands differs from other countries. A considerable part of the varicella complications among hospitalized patients was rather moderate and can be treated effectively, although in a third of the hospitalized cases with complications, severe complications occurred. These data are relevant in the decision-making process regarding whether or not to introduce routine varicella vaccination in the Netherlands.The varicella zoster virus (VZV) causes varicella (primary infection) as well as herpes zoster (reactivation of latent VZV in sensory nerve ganglia). Childhood varicella usually results in mild to moderate illness but serious complications like central nervous system involvement, pneumonia, secondary invasive bacterial infections and death may occur [1]. Since a life attenuated vaccine to prevent varicella has become available, many countries consider including it in their National Immunization Program. The United States was the first country that introduced universal childhood varicella vaccination. Their vaccin