Clinical and economic burden of varicella in pediatric patients hospitalized in four institutions in Guatemala

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0004165
• Publication Date: 2025-01-24T19:21:12Z
• Authors: Mario Melgar; Ingrid Sajmolo; André Chocó; Lidia Ortiz; Ana Gabriela Cordova; Luis Hernández; Irwing Rivera; Ashly Zuñiga; Claudia Beltrán; Sebastian Medina; Marcel Marcano-Lo...
• Keywords: Medical record

Varicella presents a public health challenge in Guatemala, with limited evidence regarding its impact; vaccine is currently absent from the national immunization program. Generating local data on economic and burden can support policies. This study describes use of hospital resources, costs care, clinical demographic characteristics, complications children varicella. A retrospective review medical records patients admitted four institutions Guatemala between January 2015 December 2019, diagnosis varicella was performed. total 124 hospitalized patients, aged 0 to 14 years, were analyzed, whom 46% had cancer. The average cost hospitalization USD 3,793.24 for complicated cases 1,131.11 uncomplicated cases. stay 11 days 5 those without complications. In total, 66.1% presented complications, related infection being most common. conclusion, hospitalizations impose significant Guatemala. Complications increase care by three times, highlighting importance considering inclusion National Immunization Program prevent disease.