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

► We investigated rotavirus-associated costs of outpatients and inpatients in eastern China. ► Inpatients with rotavirus infection had lower costs than those without rotavirus infection. ► Outpatients with rotavirus infection had higher costs than those without rotavirus infection. ► The estimated annual national costs of outpatients were higher that ones of inpatients. ► Rotavirus diarrhea affected children's behavior and emotions, the caretakers' quality of life.