Egeskov-Cavling Amanda Marie, Johannesen Caroline Klint, Folke Fredrik, Fischer Thea K
From the Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital, North Zealand Hospital, Hilleroed.
Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev and Gentofte, Copenhagen.
Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2025 Mar 1;44(3):270-276. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000004612. Epub 2024 Nov 13.
Varicella (chickenpox) caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a highly contagious pediatric disease. While it typically manifests as a mild disease, complications leading to hospitalization are not uncommon. Knowing the current disease burden, seasonality and risk groups is pivotal for evidence-based decisions on the introduction of a varicella vaccine.
Using the Danish National Patient Register and medical helpline records from the Capital Region, we estimated the burden of VZV infections among children younger than 18 years in Denmark from 2015 to June 2023.
We identified 14,443 cases with annual incidence rates of 325/100,000 children for mild-to-moderate varicella cases (helpline calls), 35/100,000 for moderate-to-severe cases (outpatients) and 10/100,000 for severe cases (hospitalized). Mild cases were most prevalent in children 1-4 years old, while moderate-to-severe cases were most prevalent among infants <1 year old. Among hospitalized cases, 23.2% had underlying diseases and 47.3% experienced complications. In April 2022, rapid surge in all types of VZV cases occurred, where admissions surpassed the prepandemic level.
This study documents that varicella is highly prevalent among Danish young children. Mild-to-moderately severe cases strain healthcare, causing increased helpline calls and posing a persistent hospitalization risk, especially for infants and children with underlying conditions.
水痘带状疱疹病毒（VZV）引起的水痘是一种具有高度传染性的儿科疾病。虽然它通常表现为轻症，但导致住院的并发症并不罕见。了解当前的疾病负担、季节性和风险群体对于基于证据决定引入水痘疫苗至关重要。
利用丹麦国家患者登记册和首都地区的医疗求助热线记录，我们估计了2015年至2023年6月丹麦18岁以下儿童中VZV感染的负担。
我们确定了14443例病例，轻度至中度水痘病例（求助热线电话）的年发病率为325/10万儿童，中度至重度病例（门诊患者）为35/10万，重度病例（住院患者）为10/10万。轻度病例在1-4岁儿童中最为普遍，而中度至重度病例在<1岁的婴儿中最为普遍。在住院病例中，23.2%有基础疾病，47.3%出现并发症。2022年4月，各类VZV病例迅速激增，住院人数超过了疫情前的水平。
本研究证明水痘在丹麦幼儿中高度流行。轻度至中度严重病例给医疗保健带来压力，导致求助热线电话增加，并带来持续的住院风险，尤其是对于有基础疾病的婴儿和儿童。
