TRENDS IN HOSPITALIZATIONS FROM ALL-CAUSE GASTROENTERITIS IN CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 5 YEARS OF AGE IN BRAZIL BEFORE AND AFTER HUMAN ROTAVIRUS VACCINE INTRODUCTION, 1998–2007

Abstract

Rotavirus vaccination was introduced in Brazil in March 2006. We describe trends in hospitalizations from all-cause gastroenteritis in children younger than 5 years during pre- and postvaccination periods using hospital discharge data from Brazil Hospital Information System (SIH-SUS). A reduction in gastroenteritis hospitalizations of 26% and 48% in 2006 and in 2007, respectively, was observed among children younger than 1 year compared with prevaccination period (1998 -2005). The largest reduction rates among children younger than 1 year were noted in the South and Southeast regions, approximately 56% in 2007, where vaccine coverage was the highest.