Rotavirus-coded Deaths in Children, United States, 1999–2007

The introduction of specific International Classification of Diseases-10th revision code for rotavirus in 1999 prompted us to examine the US mortality data for 1999-2007 to validate rotavirus-coded deaths. Of 38 rotavirus-coded deaths identified in the national multiple cause-of-death database, results of laboratory testing could be obtained for 21 deaths, all of which had confirmation of rotavirus by either microbiologic or histopathologic testing.