Descriptive analysis of the hospital discharge rate for chickenpox in the period 2020-2023 in Chile
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52611/confluencia.2025.1435Keywords:
Chickenpox, Chile, Epidemiology, Pediatrics, HospitalizationAbstract
Introduction: Chickenpox is a contagious and preventable disease of childhood. With its inclusion in the National Immunization Program, updating hospital discharge rates is essential to understand the national situation. Objective: To determine the hospital discharge rate for chickenpox in Chile between 2020 and 2023. Methods: Observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study. Data were obtained from the National Institute of Statistics and the Department of Health Statistics and Information of Chile, and processed using Microsoft Excel. A descriptive analysis was performed according to sex, age, and hospital stay length. Ethical committee evaluation was not required. Result: A total of 521 cases were analyzed, yielding an hospital discharge rate of 0.74 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, with the highest rate observed in 2023. A predominance in males and infants under one year of age was evident. The average hospital stay for uncomplicated chickenpox was 4,20 days, increasing to 14,15 days in cases with encephalitis. Discussion: While a 62.90% decrease in hospital discharge rate was observed between 2020 and 2021, a progressive increase of 64.70% was noted from 2021 to 2023, related to the gradual easing of COVID-19 preventive measures. Infants under one year presented a higher hospital discharge rate and complication rate, likely linked to their exclusion from the National Immunization Program. Conclusion: Chickenpox related hospitalization rates varied by age and sex, suggesting patterns of increased clinical vulnerability. Analyzing this indicator is essential to assess hospital burden and guide public health interventions.
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