Hospitalizations Associated with Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Influenza in Children, Including Children Diagnosed with Asthma

BACKGROUND: There is uncertainty about the burden of hospitalization associated with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza in children, including those with underlying medical conditions. METHODS: We applied previously developed methodology to HealthCare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) hospitalization data and additional data related to asthma diagnosis/previous history in hospitalized children to estimate RSV and influenza-associated hospitalization rates in different subpopulations of US children between 2003–2010. RESULTS: The estimated average annual rates (per 100,000 children) of RSV-associated hospitalization with a respiratory cause (ICD-9 codes 460–519) present anywhere in the discharge diagnosis were 2381 (95% CI(2252,2515)) in children less than a year of age; 710.6(609.1,809.2) (age 1y); 395(327.7,462.4) (age 2y); 211.3(154.6,266.8) (age 3y); 111.1(62.4,160.1) (age 4y); 72.3(29.3,116.4) (ages 5–6y); 35.6(9.9,62.2) (ages 7–11y); and 39(17.5,60.6) (ages 12–17y). The corresponding rates of influenza-associated hospitalization were lower, ranging from 181(142.5,220.3) in age