Prevalence of Rotavirus in Children with Acute Gastroenteritis, Seasonal Distribution, and Laboratory Findings in the Southeast of Turkey

Abstract

Objective: Acute gastroenteritis is a major health problem associated with high morbidity and mortality in children. Group A rotavirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in childhood. The clinical signs are nonspecific; so, the analysis of viral antigen in the stool specimen is important for the diagnosis. In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency, seasonal distribution, and laboratory findings of rotavirus gastroenteritis in children 0-16 years old.

Material and Methods: A total of 3607 children who applied between March 2012 and February 2013, with complaints of acute gastroenteritis, were investigated retrospectively. Patients with chronic disease, immune deficiency, malnutrition, and chronic gastroenteritis were excluded from the study. Rotavirus antigens were detected in the stool of 597 (16.5%) patients by qualitative immunochromatographic assay. It has a sensitivity of 92.2% and a specificity of 96.5% for detection of Rotavirus antigen. Laboratory findings were recorded from the patients' charts. The frequency of rotavirus gastroenteritis was evaluated according to age and seasonal distribution. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS), version 15.0.

Results: Viral antigens were determined in 597 (16.5%) of 3607 patients. Three hundred fifty-six (59.6%) children were male. The incidence of rotavirus-positive cases was higher during autumn and spring and higher (18.8%) in 0-24-month-old pediatric groups (p<0.05). The most common pathologic laboratory findings were leukocytosis (20%), thrombocytopenia (19.5%), and leukopenia (12.6%) in the blood count and hyponatremia (13.4%), hypochloremia (9.6%), and hypokalemia (7.8%) in the biochemical test. Additionally, 56 (14.2%) of the patients had metabolic acidosis.

Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that rotavirus was a frequent cause of acute gastroenteritis in infants, and it should be routinely, especially during autumn and spring. It is necessary to closely monitor fluid and electrolyte deficiency in patients with rotavirus infections.