Hospitalizations for varicella in children and adolescents in a referral hospital in Hong Kong, 2004 to 2008: A time series study
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Varicella accounts for significant morbidities and remains a public health issue worldwide. Climatic factors have been shown to associate with the incidence and transmission of various infectious diseases. We describe the epidemiolog...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2011-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/366 |
| _version_ | 1818755544387682304 |
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| author | Chan WM Kwan YW Tian Linwei Chan Johnny YC Leung CW |
| author_facet | Chan WM Kwan YW Tian Linwei Chan Johnny YC Leung CW |
| author_sort | Chan WM |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Varicella accounts for significant morbidities and remains a public health issue worldwide. Climatic factors have been shown to associate with the incidence and transmission of various infectious diseases. We describe the epidemiology of varicella in paediatric patients hospitalized at a tertiary referral hospital in Hong Kong from 2004 to 2008, and to explore the possible association between the occurrence of varicella infection and various climatic factors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The hospital discharge database of Princess Margaret Hospital was retrospectively analyzed for admissions associated with varicella from 2004 to 2008. Meteorological data were obtained from the monthly meteorological reports from the Hong Kong Observatory website. Time series analysis was performed with Poisson regression using a Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) approach.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>During the study period, 598 children were hospitalized for varicella. The mean age on admission was 57.6 months, and the mean duration of hospitalization was 3.7 days. The overall complication rate was 47%. The mean monthly relative humidity, especially in cool seasons, was inversely correlated with the monthly varicella cases of the same month.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Varicella can lead to serious complications and prolonged hospitalization, even in previously healthy children. Lower relative humidity in cool seasons is associated with higher number of paediatric varicella hospital admissions. These findings are useful for a better understanding of the pattern of paediatric varicella hospitalization in Hong Kong.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T05:40:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2265b9355072499e916c0f75e285c7f6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T05:40:50Z |
| publishDate | 2011-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-2265b9355072499e916c0f75e285c7f62022-12-21T21:19:10ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582011-05-0111136610.1186/1471-2458-11-366Hospitalizations for varicella in children and adolescents in a referral hospital in Hong Kong, 2004 to 2008: A time series studyChan WMKwan YWTian LinweiChan Johnny YCLeung CW<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Varicella accounts for significant morbidities and remains a public health issue worldwide. Climatic factors have been shown to associate with the incidence and transmission of various infectious diseases. We describe the epidemiology of varicella in paediatric patients hospitalized at a tertiary referral hospital in Hong Kong from 2004 to 2008, and to explore the possible association between the occurrence of varicella infection and various climatic factors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The hospital discharge database of Princess Margaret Hospital was retrospectively analyzed for admissions associated with varicella from 2004 to 2008. Meteorological data were obtained from the monthly meteorological reports from the Hong Kong Observatory website. Time series analysis was performed with Poisson regression using a Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) approach.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>During the study period, 598 children were hospitalized for varicella. The mean age on admission was 57.6 months, and the mean duration of hospitalization was 3.7 days. The overall complication rate was 47%. The mean monthly relative humidity, especially in cool seasons, was inversely correlated with the monthly varicella cases of the same month.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Varicella can lead to serious complications and prolonged hospitalization, even in previously healthy children. Lower relative humidity in cool seasons is associated with higher number of paediatric varicella hospital admissions. These findings are useful for a better understanding of the pattern of paediatric varicella hospitalization in Hong Kong.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/366VaricellaChickenpoxTime series studyChildhumiditycool season |
| spellingShingle | Chan WM Kwan YW Tian Linwei Chan Johnny YC Leung CW Hospitalizations for varicella in children and adolescents in a referral hospital in Hong Kong, 2004 to 2008: A time series study BMC Public Health Varicella Chickenpox Time series study Child humidity cool season |
| title | Hospitalizations for varicella in children and adolescents in a referral hospital in Hong Kong, 2004 to 2008: A time series study |
| title_full | Hospitalizations for varicella in children and adolescents in a referral hospital in Hong Kong, 2004 to 2008: A time series study |
| title_fullStr | Hospitalizations for varicella in children and adolescents in a referral hospital in Hong Kong, 2004 to 2008: A time series study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hospitalizations for varicella in children and adolescents in a referral hospital in Hong Kong, 2004 to 2008: A time series study |
| title_short | Hospitalizations for varicella in children and adolescents in a referral hospital in Hong Kong, 2004 to 2008: A time series study |
| title_sort | hospitalizations for varicella in children and adolescents in a referral hospital in hong kong 2004 to 2008 a time series study |
| topic | Varicella Chickenpox Time series study Child humidity cool season |
| url | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/366 |
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