Hospital-based study of the economic burden associated with rotavirus diarrhea in eastern China

Rotavirus infection is one of the most common causes of severe diarrhea in China. To evaluate the economic burden associated with rotavirus infection of children in China, we combined data on the disease burden of rotavirus-associated costs for samples comprising 832 outpatients and 604 inpatients from five seaside cities. The average social costs and direct medical costs for rotavirus-associated admissions were calculated to be US $61.64 and US $40.73 for outpatients, and US $684.15 and US $559.48 for inpatients, respectively, from October 1, 2006 to December 1, 2007. On average, the private cost ranged from US $54.64 for outpatients to US $454.24 for inpatients when children suffered from rotavirus infection. Accordingly, this cost accounted for 35.19-293% of the monthly income of an unskilled or service worker. We estimated that the annual number of children with rotavirus diarrhea was 12.10 million. Consequently, the total annual direct cost, total annual social cost, and total annual private cost were US $271.4 million, US $365.0 million, and US $290.0 million, respectively. Furthermore, rotavirus diarrhea affected children's behavior and emotions, which had a great influence on the caretakers’ quality of life. These data indicate the potential requirement for a safe and effective rotavirus vaccine to reduce the economic burden associated with rotavirus disease.