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[Clinical and epidemiologic findings from a study of rotavirus infections in hospitalized children]
P Pazdiora1, J Táborská, L Mladá
1Oddĕlení epidemiologie lékarské fakulty Univerzity Karlovy, Plzen.
Insights
Rotaviruses were the primary cause of acute infectious diarrhea in hospitalized children, particularly those aged 7-24 months. This study highlights rotavirus prevalence and associated symptoms in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Virology
- Gastroenterology
Context:
- Acute diarrhea is a significant cause of childhood hospitalization.
- Understanding the etiological agents of pediatric diarrhea is crucial for effective treatment and prevention.
- Nosocomial infections pose a risk in healthcare settings.
Purpose:
- To investigate the etiological agents of acute diarrhea in hospitalized children.
- To determine the prevalence and seasonality of specific pathogens, particularly rotaviruses.
- To identify risk factors and associated symptoms in affected children.
Summary:
- An infectious etiology was confirmed in 47.7% of 323 hospitalized children with acute diarrhea.
- Rotaviruses were the most frequent causative agent (28%), peaking from December to May.
- Children aged 7-24 months were predominantly affected. Respiratory symptoms and abnormal transaminase levels were common in rotavirus cases.
- Nosocomial intestinal infections occurred in 9.6% of monitored children, with rotaviruses being the most common cause.
Impact:
- Provides epidemiological data on pediatric diarrhea in the Plzen region.
- Highlights the significant role of rotaviruses in childhood gastroenteritis.
- Informs public health strategies for rotavirus prevention and control.
- Emphasizes the importance of infection control to prevent nosocomial rotavirus transmission.
Abstract:
The authors examined in 1986-1988 the aetiology of acute diarrhoea in 323 children hospitalized at the Infectious Diseases Clinic in Plzen. An infectious aetiology was proved in 47.7% of the children, the most frequently detected aetiological agent were rotaviruses which caused 28% of the recorded diseases. Their prevalence culminated in December--May; as to age, children between 7 and 24 months predominated. In 41.1% of the subjects with rotavirus infection respiratory symptoms were present all round the year, in 65.5% children transiently pathological transaminase values were recorded. Of 145 children where by laboratory methods nosocomial intestinal infections were monitored, this infection was contracted by 14 children (9.6%). The most frequent causal agent of these diseases were rotaviruses.