Intussusception-associated hospitalization among Venezuelan infants during 1998 through 2001: anticipating rotavirus vaccines

BACKGROUND.The first licensed rotavirus vaccine was withdrawn from use in the United States because of a low risk of intussusception. Consequently tests of new rotavirus vaccines will require some baseline knowledge of the rates and treatment of intussusception in countries where these vaccines will be tested. Therefore the objective of this study was to assess hospitalization rates and describe the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of intussusception in Carabobo, Venezuela. METHODS.This study reviewed hospital data and clinical records of pediatric patients with intussusception admitted to eight hospitals in Carabobo between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 2001. RESULTS.For the 4-year period the average annual hospitalization rate for intussusception among infants (