THE IMPACT OF ROTAVIRUS DISEASE IN VENEZUELA

Information concerning the disease burden of rotavirus, particularly i n developing countries, has important implications for the use and for monitoring the impact of rotavirus vaccines. Although rotavirus has b een recognized as the most frequent cause of hospitalization in the wo rld, national estimates and specific information about the incidence o f hospitalization for rotavirus gastroenteritis are very limited. Cons equently, estimates of the incidence of hospitalization among children during the first 2 years of life in Venezuela were determined by extr apolation of data from a community-based study carried out in Caracas.