Impact of rotavirus infections on outpatient clinic visits in Chile

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Incorporation of new rotavirus vaccines into national programs of developing countries will rely on well-designed cost-effective analysis based on accurate assessment of disease burden. For Chile, rotavirus disease burden is determined mostly by outpatient clinic and emergency room visits and by hospitalizations. We previously estimated a yearly incidence of 8000 and 53,000 hospitalizations and emergency room visits respectively for children ≤3 years of age. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to quantify the impact of rotavirus as a cause of outpatient clinic visits. METHODS: A prospective surveillance protocol between the Health Ministry and the University of Chile in 11 outpatient clinics from 6 regions included reporting of all acute diarrhea cases in children <5 years of age and collection of a stool sample for the first 5 children per week. RESULTS: A total of 5217 acute diarrhea episodes requiring an outpatient medical visit for a total assigned population of