Hospital-Based Surveillance to Estimate the Burden of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis Among European Children Younger Than 5 Years of Age

Abstract

OBJECTIVES. Rotavirus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis requiring hospitalization in young children. Data on the burden of rotavirus gastroenteritis are needed to guide recommendations for rotavirus vaccine use. This study was undertaken to estimate the burden of rotavirus gastroenteritis in European children G1P[8]: 40.3%; G9P[8]: 31.2%; G4P[8]: 13.5%; G3P[8]: 7.1%). CONCLUSIONS. Rotavirus gastroenteritis places high demands on European health care systems, accounting for 56.2% of hospitalizations and 32.8% of emergency department visits because of community-acquired acute gastroenteritis in children aged <5 years. Most community-acquired rotavirus gastroenteritis occurs in children aged <2 years, and a high proportion occurs in infants aged <6 months. Cases were also observed among very young infants <2 months of age. Rotavirus vaccination is expected to have a major impact in reducing morbidity and the pressure on hospital services in Europe.