Importance of rotavirus as a cause of gastroenteritis in Jordan: a hospital based study

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Vaccinology

Background:

• Rotavirus is a leading cause of gastroenteritis (GE) in young children globally, responsible for significant mortality and morbidity, particularly in developing nations.
• The recent availability of rotavirus vaccines necessitates an assessment of the pathogen's impact within specific populations to inform public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of rotavirus as a cause of gastroenteritis in children in Jordan.
• To evaluate the need for rotavirus vaccination in the Jordanian pediatric population.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study was conducted analyzing data from children diagnosed with GE at Jordan University Hospital (JUH) and three private hospitals between 1995 and 2004.
• Rotavirus detection rates were calculated for each year and institution.

Main Results:

• At JUH, rotavirus accounted for 25% of GE cases in 1995, with yearly proportions ranging from 24.7% to 35.2% between 2002 and 2004. The overall cumulative proportion at JUH was 27.14%.
• In the private hospitals, rotavirus prevalence varied: 16.9% at Khalidy Hospital, 21% at Jordan Hospital, and 44.6% at Islamic Hospital.
• Rotavirus was identified as a significant contributor to pediatric GE across different socioeconomic backgrounds in Jordan.

Conclusions:

• Rotavirus is a major etiological agent of gastroenteritis in Jordanian children, irrespective of their socioeconomic status.
• Control measures, including vaccination, should be considered to mitigate the burden of rotavirus infections in this population.