Epidemiological impact of RV infection in the Abruzzo Region: SDO analysis

RV represent the principle cause of acute gastroenteritis in infants in the world. In developing countries they are responsible for a high mortality rate in children under the age of five, whereas, in industrialized countries the RV infection is mainly related to hospitalisation. In order to study the epidemiological impact of enteritis caused by RV, we used the SDO files (hospital discharge code) in the Abruzzo Region relative to the years 2003-2006. Of a total number of 3146 children under the age of 5 who were diagnosed with gastroenteritis at the moment of hospitalisation, 1025 presented gastroenteritis of viral origin and 48.4% (496) due to RV. Furthermore, 253 hospital admissions were observed for RV in a second diagnosis. Infants of 12-23 months are those subject to the highest rate of hospitalisation ranging from 295/100.000 and 517/100.000. The use of the SDO files can determine an underestimation of the hospitalisation incidence for RV because to confirm a correct diagnosis the analysis of faeces should be systematically carried out but this is not always undertaken. The implementation of a secure and efficient vaccine strategy seems to be justified in poor countries, whereas in the industrialized countries, such a strategy can reduce the health expenditure for gastroenteritis by RV.