IMPACT OF ROTAVIRUS INFECTION ON A PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL IN THE EAST-ENDOF LONDON

Aims-To study the impact of confirmed rotavirus infection at a paediat ric hospital; to use the data to obtain a minimum estimate of the cost of treating reported cases of rotavirus in England and Wales. Methods -Data were obtained on all patients with rotavirus over a two year per iod. Information was collected on 386 patients with rotavirus infectio n who were treated at the 120 bed Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Childre n in East London. This included the virus serotype, the patient's age, whether they required intravenous infusion, duration of hospital stay , numbers of patients treated in the casualty department, and numbers who had to be admitted. Treatment costs were obtained from the Finance Department of the Hospitals for Sick Children. Results-The minimum co st of treating patients, excluding the cost of medical staff at the ho spital, was estimated to be pound 95 400 a year. One hundred and forty eight (38%) patients were admitted to the wards and a further 49 pati ents developed symptoms while in hospital. Intravenous infusion was re quired by 18 patients. The mean duration of hospital stay was 5.5 days . One hundred and eighty nine (49%) patients were treated with oral re hydration solution in casualty, given advice, and sent home. Ninety fo ur per cent of the patients were aged under 2 years. The findings were comparable with those obtained in a study at Texas Children's Hospita l, USA. The G serotype (VP7) of rotavirus did not influence the severi ty of infection. Conclusion-Rotavirus infections accounted for a signi ficant number of patients treated in casualty, admissions to hospital, and bed occupancy in a paediatric hospital. The estimated cost of tre ating reported cases of rotavirus in England and Wales is in excess of pound 6.3 million a year.