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Childhood diarrhoea due to rotavirus in a community
G Nath1, S P Singh, S C Sanyal
1Department of Microbiology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.
Insights
Rotavirus is a significant cause of acute diarrhea in children under five, particularly in urban slums. This study found rotavirus in 17.7% of sick children, with higher rates in girls and younger children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Virology
- Public Health
Background:
- Acute diarrheal illness is a major cause of child mortality globally.
- Rotavirus is a leading viral pathogen responsible for severe diarrhea in young children.
- Understanding rotavirus prevalence in specific communities is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the etiologic role of rotavirus in acute diarrheal illness among children under five in an urban slum.
- To investigate age, sex, and seasonal patterns of rotavirus infection.
- To identify co-infections with other enteropathogens.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study over one year in an urban slum.
- Detection of rotavirus in stool samples from children with diarrhea and healthy controls.
- Analysis of demographic and seasonal factors.
- Identification of co-pathogens using microbiological methods.
Main Results:
- Rotavirus was detected in 17.7% of children with diarrhea and 4% of healthy children.
- Prevalence peaked in children aged 19-24 months, with similar rates in 0-6 months.
- Higher susceptibility observed in girls (24.1%) compared to boys (13.8%).
- Infection was more common during cooler months (November-February).
- Cryptosporidium co-infection (3%) was noted for the first time with rotavirus.
Conclusions:
- Rotavirus is a significant etiological agent of acute diarrhea in young children in this urban slum setting.
- Age and sex influence rotavirus susceptibility.
- Seasonal patterns indicate higher transmission during cooler periods.
- Co-infections, particularly with Cryptosporidium, warrant further investigation.
Abstract:
The etiologic role of rotavirus in acute diarrhoeal illness in children under five years of age was studied over a period of one year in an urban slum community. Rotavirus was detected in 17.7 per cent of 376 children with diarrhoea and 4 per cent of 299 healthy children with maximum prevalence at 19-24 months of age with statistically comparable detection in 0-6 months of age. The overall prevalence was significantly higher in children below 2 yr as compared to those between 2-5 yr of age. Girls (24.1%) were more susceptible amongst the diarrhoeal group in comparison to boys (13.8%). Diarrhoea due to rotavirus was more prevalent during the cooler months (November-February) of the year and no correlation was observed with rainfall and relative humidity. Rotavirus as the sole pathogen was observed in 9 per cent children with diarrhoea and in the rest, association of Cryptosporidium (3%) was observed for the first time with this virus along with other known enteropathogenic bacteria and parasites, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli being the commonest organism.