Hospitalizations associated with rotavirus diarrhea in the United States, 1993 through 1995: surveillance based on the new ICD-9-CM rotavirus-specific diagnostic code.
The introduction of a specific International Classification of Diseases code for rotavirus diarrhea in 1992 prompted examination of the National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS) for trends in rotavirus-associated hospitalizations among US children aged 1 month through 4 years. During 1993-1995, 13.5% of hospitalizations were associated with diarrhea (n = 162,478/year). Rotavirus was the most common pathogen identified, coded in 16.5% of diarrhea cases (n = 26,798/year), and increased from 13.3% in 1993 to 18.9% in 1995. The age distribution and seasonality of hospitalizations of presumed noninfectious and viral etiology resembled those associated with rotavirus. Rotavirus was reported as a cause of diarrhea more frequently by hospitals that were large (> or =100 beds), proprietary-owned, or in the West/Midwest. Although these findings suggest incomplete detection of rotavirus diarrhea cases, the large number of rotavirus-associated hospitalizations underscores the need for vaccines and indicates that NHDS data could be used to monitor the impact of a US rotavirus immunization program.
Parashar
U D
UD
Epidemic Intelligence Service, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. UAP2@CDC.GOV
Holman
R C
RC
Clarke
M J
MJ
Bresee
J S
JS
Glass
R I
RI
D000367:Age Factors; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000639:trends*; D016304:Hospitals, Private; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012621:Seasons; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology