Is it time for routine varicella vaccination?
INTRODUCTION: Varicella zoster (chickenpox) infection is a common and benign disease of childhood. The predominance of uncomplicated cases in children tends to overshadow the morbidity associated with severe cases and the resultant hospitalization. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to establish the complication rate of chickenpox in the Saudi National Guard population over a 2(1/2)-year period. METHODS: All reported cases of chickenpox at the King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh were prospectively followed for development of complications during the period between 1 June 2001 and 30 December 2003. RESULTS: A total of 3802 cases of chickenpox were reported and followed during the acute illness phase. The majority of cases, 2984 (78%), occurred in children less than 15 years of age. Among all chickenpox cases, 78 (2%) required hospitalization, and 50 patients developed 58 (1.5%) complications. Skin and soft tissue infections were the most common complications, 20 (34%), followed by pneumonia i
