[Evaluation of varicella complications through a retrospective hospital survey in a paediatric center over 16 years in France].

Objective: Evaluation of the varicella severity through a prevalence study of hospital admissions justified by a complication directly related to the onset of an acute episode of varicella.

Methods: Retrospective study in one paediatric center in France with a follow-up of a paediatric cohort from April 1987 to December 2002. This general paediatric hospital recruits children from a 400,000 inhabitants area.