Respiratory syncytial virus-coded pediatric hospitalizations, 1997 to 1999

Background. The recent number and rate of infant hospitalizations with a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-coded diagnosis have not been published. Methods. Retrospective data analysis. National Hospital Discharge Survey data for 1997 to 1999 were analyzed for discharges of infants <1 year old with an RSV-coded diagnosis (ICD-9-CM 466.11, 480.1, 079.6). Hospitalization rates were estimated with annual midyear Census data. Results. RSV bronchiolitis was the leading primary diagnosis annually for all infants hospitalized for any reason. Between 1997 and 1999, 297 684 RSV-coded discharges of infants with an RSV-coded diagnosis occurred. The associated hospitalization rate was 25.2 per 1000 infants. RSV-coded discharges peaked in February. Conclusion. RSV bronchiolitis was the leading cause of hospital admissions of infants younger than age 1 year for any reason between 1997 and 1999.