Introduction:

herpes zoster (HZ) is a neurocutaneous infection caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV), when immunity is affected. It is a rare cause of hospitalization in Pediatric patients.

Objective:

to describe the epidemiological, clinical and evolutionary characteristics of children hospitalized for HZ at the Pereira Rossell Hospital Center (CHPR), between 2008 and 2019.

Materials and methods:

retrospective study through the review of medical records. We included children under 15 years of age hospitalized for HZ in CHPR moderate care wards, it was not possible to include children admitted to the Hemato Oncology Ward. We analyzed age, sex, immunity, varicella vaccination, clinic, treatment and evolution.

Results:

13 children (0.01% of admissions in the period) with a median age of 10 years; 8 female; secondary immunosuppression 4 children; 3 infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and 1 in immunosuppressive treatment for type B lymphoblastic leukemia. Two cases previously had chickenpox. There were 11 cases of varicella vaccine: one dose 9, two doses 2. All presented vesicular rash and pruritus, topography: extremities 6, thoracic 4 and ophthalmic 3; 11 showed extra cutaneous symptoms (neuropathic pain). 11 children received antiviral treatment, 6 cases presented complications: mild impetigo.

Conclusions:

there were few hospitalizations for HZ. The predominant clinical manifestation was a vesicular rash associated with itching and pain. The complications were mild. Further studies including hospitalized children with cancer and outpatients are necessary in order to continue to characterize this cause of hospitalization.

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