Outcome of Varicella Infection in Immunocompromised Children, 6 years Analysis

Background: Among immunocompromised patient varicella infection could caused serious problems and can develop fatal complication that leads to death. Risk of its transmission is higher in the developing countries where varicella vaccine is not established as part of national immunization program. Material : We performed retrospective analysis for admitted patients from 2011 to 2017 in tertiary referral hospital of Indonesia. Analysis performed is focused on the course and outcome of patients with varicella in immunocompromised condition. Results : There were 30 cases of varicella in immunocompromised children, 14 of which are having underlying hematologic malignancy, while the others are non hematologic malignancy, HIV infection, chronic kidney disease or patient on high dose steroid treatment. Treatment wise, 16 patients were treated by intravenous Acyclovir only, 7 oral Acyclovir only, while the rest were treated with combination of oral and iv Acyclovir. Median duration of Acyclovir treatment was 7 (Range 1-11) days. Clinical resolution achieved at day 5 (range 0-11). Among the 30 admitted patients, complications are developed in 7 of them such as pneumonia, encephalitis, visceral varicella, or septicemia. All of the patients with complication eventually lead to death. It is valuable to note that all patients have never received varicella immunization. Up until now varicella immunization is not yet included to national immunization program.