Leveraging Administrative Data to Monitor Rituximab Use in 2875 Patients at 42 Freestanding Children's Hospitals across the United States

The use of rituximab has increased significantly in children with a variety of underlying diseases. Based on ICD-9-CM code data, the rates of sepsis and other life-threatening infections after rituximab exposure vary depending on the underlying condition. Based on surveillance of infection using ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes, the rates of opportunistic infections appear to be low.