The Pediatric infectious disease journal
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Rotaviral gastroenteritis is a serious public health problem in both developed and developing countries. The disease is ubiquitous, affecting nearly all children by the age of 5 years. It is the most common cause of hospitalizations for gastroenteritis among children in the United States (30%-70% depending on the season) and is associated with direct and indirect costs of approximately $1 billion per year. ⋯ Based on the observations that improved sanitation does not decrease disease prevalence and that hospitalizations remain high despite the availability and use of oral rehydrating solutions, the primary public health intervention for rotavirus infection is vaccination. Current vaccines (ie, RotaTeq, Merck and Company; Rotarix, GlaxoSmithKline) are effective for reducing rotaviral gastroenteritis (particularly severe disease), emergency department visits, and hospitalizations. Rotavirus vaccination is now included as part of the routine vaccination schedule for all infants in the United States.
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Mar 2009
Vaccine preventable infections and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in critically ill children in China.
Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) is a major cause of mortality in PICUs in industrialized countries. As developing countries become more advanced, PICU care comes into reach. The aim of this study was to examine MODS in a PICU in China in comparison with other countries. ⋯ MODS is a major cause of mortality in PICU patients in China. In China, infection-related MODS PICU cases could potentially be reduced to rates closer to those in industrialized countries, if conjugated H. influenzae b and conjugated pneumococcal vaccines were introduced into routine practice.