Prevalence and Factors Associated with Rotavirus among Children Admitted with Acute Diarrhea

Abstract

Diarrheal diseases are a major problem in Egypt as it is a developing country. Though precise data on childhood mortality associated with diarrheal diseases in Egypt are not available, it has been estimated that 16-28 % of child deaths are associated with diarrheal diseases, particularly acute diarrhea. Among the diarrhea-causing viruses, rotavirus is the most important etiological agent worldwide and is implicated in severe dehydrating diarrhea requiring hospitalization. The clinical features and stool characteristics of rotavirus diarrhea are nonspecific, and similar illness may be caused by other pathogens. As a result, confirmation of a diarrheal illness as rotavirus requires laboratory testing. This cross sectional study was conducted on (30) infants and children selected randomly from outpatient Clinic in Pediatric Hospital of Ain-Shams University Hospital to determine the prevalence and factors associated with rotavirus diarrhea among children less than five years. All infants were subjected to CBC with film, CRP, stool analysis and stool culture if needed. PCR rotavirus by real time PCR was done to all cases, also serum electrolytes (NA, K, Ca), liver function testes, renal function testes and ABG if needed were performed. Most of our patients were about 6-12 months for age (66.67%), 6 (20%) were <6mth and 4 (13.33%) were 12-24 months old. In the present study, 25 patients (83.33%): were PCR for Rota virus +ve and 5 patients (16.66%): were PCR for Rota virus -ve. Most of patients in the current study are between 6-12 months of age (66.7%). In the current study, no gender differencee is observed (15 males and 15 females) and no significant different between both groups was reported (P>0.05). In the current study, 94% of watery diarrhea children were RV +ve compared to 75% among watery mucoid while non of children presented with watery and bloody diarrhea were RV +ve and this association was statistic significant (P<0.05). None of the onset & duration and frequency of diarrhea were significantly associated with RV diarrhea (P<0.05). All patients recruited in the current study, present with vomiting frequency <5/day were in RV+ group. 86% vomited 5-10 times /day in the RV +ve groups. Two out 5 RV–ve patients reported >10 times vomiting/ day and this was statistically significant (P value 0.004). No significant difference between both groups regarding fever, abdominal pain and level of consciousness. Results of the current study showed that there is no significant difference between both groups as regard pus cell in stool CRP, s.creatinine, K, Na, WBC (p< 0.05). Results of the current study show no significant association between, family history, past history and of children contact with infected person (p< 0.05).