Comparative Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics of Chickenpox in Children and Adolescents

Chickenpox remains a common childhood infection, characterized by high contagiousness and a significant complication rate, especially in settings with poor vaccination coverage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of chickenpox in children of different age groups. A retrospective analysis of 132 medical records of children aged 1 to 16 years, who were treated at the Republican Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital in Bishkek from 2022 to April 2024, was conducted. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1—children aged 1–9 years (n=63) and Group 2—children aged 10–16 years (n=69). Descriptive statistics were used, with confidence intervals calculated and differences assessed for statistical significance (p≤0.05). It was established that children over 12 years of age (50.0%) and young children (22.7%) predominated among those infected. Adolescents were statistically significantly more likely to experience moderate symptoms of intoxication, mucous membrane lesions (82.6%; p=0.003), and severe itching (92.8%; p=0.016). Younger children had high fever (42.9%; p=0.005) and severe intoxication (50.8%; p=0.011), as well as a higher incidence of combined infections (36.5%). The overall incidence of complications was high in both groups, with no statistically significant differences; however, adolescents were significantly more likely to develop pyoderma (52.2%; p=0.048). Pneumonia was observed more frequently (22.0%) in younger children, without significant differences. The course of chickenpox has age-specific characteristics: in young children, systemic manifestations predominate, while in adolescents, pronounced local symptoms and skin complications occur. These findings highlight the need for improved preventive measures, including expanded vaccination programs.