Hospital admissions for pertussis in Spain, 1995-1998

This epidemiological survey was undertaken to estimate the annual burden of hospitalizations for pertussis in Spain during a four-year period 1995-199 8. Data were obtained from the national surveillance system for hospital da ta. All hospital discharges for pertussis (ICD-9- CM 033) were analyzed. Th e annual incidence of hospitalization for pertussis was 1.7 per 100,000 pop ulation. Eighty-nine percent of the cases were < 1 year of age (incidence o f 78 per 100,000) and 95% were less than or equal to 5 years of age (incide nce of 28 per 100,000). During the study period, 14 deaths were reported am ong patients hospitalized by pertussis. Despite of the high immunization ra tes, many pertussis cases occur each year, mostly of them among very young children. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.