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Epidemiology of rotavirus-associated hospital admissions in the province of Ferrara, Italy

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Abstract

Overview

Hospital discharge forms with specific codes for rotavirus gastroenteritis in children 0 to 14 years of age were reviewed in the period 2003–2005 in the province of Ferrara.

Results

A total of 4,238 children were admitted to the pediatric departments; 151 patients were diagnosed with rotavirus gastroenteritis. The average annual rate of hospitalization for rotavirus gastroenteritis was 1.54/1,000 children <14 years of age and 2.9/1,000 children <5 years of age. Most hospitalizations (72%) involved children aged <60 months. The average length of hospital stay was about 5 days. Considering the Emilia Romagna regional reimbursement codes referable to rotavirus disease, the estimated costs of our 151 cases range from €214,033 to €341,832.

Conclusions

The results of this study contribute to the awareness of rotavirus epidemiology in Italy and underline the potential impact of rotavirus vaccination in our province.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Pediatrics, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

    Maria Marsella & Caterina Borgna-Pignatti

  2. Department of Maternal and Infant Health, Pediatric Operative Unit, Local Health Unit Ferrara, Delta Hospital, Lagosanto (FE), Italy

    Licia Raimondi & Ettore Bigi

  3. Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Hygiene and Occupational Health, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 64b, 44100, Ferrara, Italy

    Mauro Bergamini & Giovanni Gabutti

  4. Pediatric and Adolescentology Operative Unit, Arcispedale S.Anna, Ferrara, Italy

    Monica Sprocati & Vincenzo De Sanctis

Authors
  1. Maria Marsella
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  2. Licia Raimondi
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  3. Mauro Bergamini
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  4. Monica Sprocati
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  5. Ettore Bigi
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  6. Vincenzo De Sanctis
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  7. Caterina Borgna-Pignatti
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  8. Giovanni Gabutti
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giovanni Gabutti.

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Marsella, M., Raimondi, L., Bergamini, M. et al. Epidemiology of rotavirus-associated hospital admissions in the province of Ferrara, Italy. Eur J Pediatr 168, 1423–1427 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-009-0942-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-009-0942-z

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