Hospitalizations associated with rotavirus gastroenteritis in Spain, 2001-2005.
BACKGROUND
This study aims to describe and analyze hospital admissions in Spain due to rotavirus infections among children aged 5 years or under during the period 2001-2005, along with the associated health cost.


METHODS
To update estimates of rotavirus hospitalizations rates in Spain, we conducted a retrospective study of 5 years of national hospitalization data associated with acute gastroenteritis using the Minimum Basic Data Set.


RESULTS
During the study period, a total of 17.1% of all admissions due to acute gastroenteritis of any etiology in children aged < or = 5 years were attributable to rotavirus infection as determined by the rotavirus-specific International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision, Clinical Modification code. A mean incidence of 135 hospital admissions attributable to rotavirus per 100,000 children aged < or = 5 years was found. Hospitalizations associated with rotavirus had a marked winter-time seasonality. The estimated cost of hospital admission attributable to rotavirus has risen from 3 million euros estimated for 2001 to almost 7 million euros estimated in 2005.


CONCLUSIONS
Rotavirus gastroenteritis remains an important cause of hospitalizations in Spanish children, mostly during the winter season.
López-de-Andrés
Ana
A
Preventive Medicine and Public Health Teaching and Research Unit, Health Sciences Faculty, Rey Juan Carlos University, Avda de Atenas s/n, Alcorcón 28402 Madrid, Spain. ana.lopez@urjc.es
Jiménez-García
Rodrigo
R
Carrasco-Garrido
Pilar
P
Alvaro-Meca
Alejandro
A
Galarza
Patricia Graciela
PG
de Miguel
Angel Gil
AG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000639:trends; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012621:Seasons; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology