Burden of human rotavirus-associated hospitalizations in three geographic regions of Hungary

Data on hospital admissions and laboratory reports were used to estimate th e number of hospitalizations of children aged 14 y or less in three geograp hic regions of Hungary due to group A rotavirus infection. Between January 1993 and December 1996, 9182 hospitalizations for gastroenteritis occurred, of which 1946 (21%) were associated with rotavirus infection. Most (90%) o f the rotavirus detections were among children aged 4 y or less. By extrapo lation, an estimated 5000 rotavirus-related hospitalizations (8.4/1000 chil dren aged 4 y or less/y) occurred in Hungary during the study period. Marke d seasonality of rotavirus infections was observed, with a peak of incidenc e from December to February. Rotaviruses with "long" RNA electropherotypes predominated each year, but in 1995/1996 20% of electropherotypes in the Bu dapest area were "short". Effective surveillance is required for all childr en hospitalized for diarrhoea as part of a rotavirus immunization program i n Hungary.