[Varicella: previously healthy children sometimes develop complications].
Three healthy boys, 3.5, 5 and 1.5 years of age, were admitted to hospital with a severe bacterial skin infection, cerebellar ataxia, and pneumonia, respectively, one week after the onset of varicella. They recovered completely after treatment. Studies in Europe report complications from varicella in 2.5% of healthy children. Most of these are neurological complications and secondary bacterial infections of skin and soft tissue. Last year, a European consensus was published that recommended that all healthy children be vaccinated against chickenpox. In The Netherlands, routine varicella zoster virus (VZV) vaccination has not (yet) been implemented. We propose a new discussion on the possible inclusion of VZV vaccination in the national vaccination programme.
Mérelle
M E
ME
Spaarne Ziekenhuis, afd. Kindergeneeskunde, Postbus 770, 2130 AT Hoofddorp.
Visser
L F A
LF
Bokma
J A
JA
de Melker
H E
HE
de Winter
J P
JP
D002524:Cerebellar Ataxia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006291:Health Policy; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011001:Pleuropneumonia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*
D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine