[Rota virus infection in the newborn and infant -- epidemiological aspects (author's transl)]

In a total of 406 sera an age-dependent pattern of complement fixing antibodies against Rotavirus (Nebraska calf diarrhea virus) was found: 85% of the adults had antibodies, infants in the second half-year of life had the lowest percentage (42%). Thereupon a Rotavirus survey was carried out in a newborn ward by means of electron microscopy, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and complement fixation test during three weeks in January/February 1978. A chronically high infection rate was discovered. Children acquired intestinal infection despite of complement fixing serum antibodies and very few showed a rise in antibody titer.