Haematological complications in otherwise healthy children hospitalized for varicella

Although varicella is commonly regarded as a mild childhood disease, complications may occur and frequently require hospitalization. The aim of this study was to establish the type and frequency of varicella complications among hospitalized paediatric patients over a 4.5-year period. This analysis included the medical charts of 306 patients admitted to the Infectious Disease Unit, Children Hospital Bambino Gesù, Roma, Italy from 2006 to 2010 for varicella disease. The most common complications were haematological disorders (41.5%) followed by neurological ones (23.5%). Varicella vaccination in childhood immunization program must be increased.