Incidence of intussusception in early infancy: a capture-recapture estimate for Germany

BACKGROUND Rotavirus (RV) vaccination with the first generation vaccine (Rotashield) has been associated with intussusception (IS). Reliable age specific baseline incidence data for children ≤6 months of age in particular is fundamental for further post marketing monitoring of potential effects of recently introduced new RV vaccines. METHODS IS incidence was estimated by a 2-source capture-recapture calculation (CRC) based on ESPED (German Paediatric Surveillance Unit) reports and on hospital discharge records for 2006 and 2007. ESPED as well as hospital records were validated according to the Brighton Collaboration's Group definition for definite IS. PATIENTS Children that have been treated for IS in a hospital in one of two states of Germany (North-Rhine Westphalia and Bavaria). RESULTS The annual IS incidence for infants