TABLE 3.
Distribution of principal complications from varicella infection by age category, Quebec, April 1994 to March 1996
| Complications | <18 years, n (%) | Principal ≤18 years, n (%) | All ages, n (%) | Total All ages, n (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin infections | ||||
| Cellulitis | 127 (27.1) | 6 (5.2) | 133 (22.8) | 140 (18.6) |
| Impetigo | 92 (19.7) | 12 (10.4) | 104 (17.8) | 116 (15.4) |
| Scarlet fever | 10 (2.1) | 0 (0.0) | 4 (0.7) | 25 (3.3) |
| Skin abscess | 4 (0.9) | 0 (0.0) | 4 (0.7) | 10 (1.3) |
| Necrotizing fasciitis | 6 (1.3) | 0 (0.0) | 6 (1.0) | 6 (0.8) |
| Other infections | ||||
| Pneumonia | 63 (13.5) | 48 (41.7) | 111 (19.0) | 134 (17.8) |
| Bacteremia | 20 (4.3) | 4 (3.5) | 24 (4.1) | 26 (3.5) |
| Osteoarticular infection | 5 (1.1) | 0 (0.0) | 5 (0.9) | 9 (1.2) |
| Neurological complications | ||||
| Ataxia | 22 (4.7) | 1 (0.9) | 23 (3.9) | 23 (3.1) |
| Encephalitis | 14 (3.0) | 3 (2.6) | 17 (2.9) | 17 (2.3) |
| Aseptic meningitis | 4 (0.9) | 0 (0.0) | 4 (0.7) | 4 (0.5) |
| Guillain-Barré syndrome | 0 (0.0) | 2 (1.7) | 2 (0.3) | 2 (0.3) |
| Hepatitis | 12 (2.6) | 11 (9.6) | 23 (3.9) | 41 (5.4) |
| Thrombocytopenia | 22 (4.7) | 24 (20.9) | 46 (7.8) | 80 (10.6) |
| Various | ||||
| Febrile convulsions | 25 (5.3) | 0 (0.0) | 25 (4.3) | 36 (4.8) |
| Dehydration | 20 (4.3) | 0 (0.0) | 20 (3.4) | 35 (4.6) |
| Antihistamine intoxication | 3 (0.6) | 0 (0.0) | 3 (0.5) | 4 (0.5) |
| Others | 19 (4.1) | 4 (3.5) | 23 (3.9) | 45 (6.0) |
| Total | 468 (100) | 115 (100) | 583 (100) | 753 (100) |