Pneumonia and influenza hospitalizations among children under 5?years of age in Suzhou, China, 2005–2011

摘要

Abstract BackgroundThe disease burden of influenza among children in China has not been well described. ObjectiveTo estimate the influenza-associated excess hospitalization rate and compare the hospitalization length and costs between pneumonia and influenza (P&I) and other community-acquired diseases (CAD) in Suzhou, China. MethodsWe retrospectively collected hospital discharge data on pediatric patients' discharge diagnosis, hospital costs, and length of hospital stay in Suzhou. P&I hospitalization was defined as a primary discharge diagnosis of pneumonia and influenza disease (ICD-10 codes J09–J18). Other CAD were common community-acquired diseases among children. Negative binomial regression models were used to estimate the weekly P&I hospitalizations in Suzhou. Excess P&I hospitalizations due to influenza were calculated as the difference in P&I hospitalizations between the epidemic period and the baseline period. Baseline was defined as when the influenza-positive rates were ResultsFrom October 2005 to September 2011, we identified a total of 180?091 all-cause hospitalizations among children ConclusionsThe influenza-associated P&I hospitalization rates and economic burden were high among children. Targeted influenza prevention and control strategies for young children in Suzhou may reduce the influenza-associated hospitalizations in this age group.