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Updated: May 7, 2026

Detection and Genogrouping of Noroviruses from Children's Stools By Taqman One-step RT-PCR
15:16

Detection and Genogrouping of Noroviruses from Children's Stools By Taqman One-step RT-PCR

Published on: July 22, 2012

Pediatric norovirus infection

S Esposito1, B Ascolese, L Senatore

  • 1Pediatric Clinic 1, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Commenda 9, 20122, Milan, Italy, susanna.esposito@unimi.it.

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases : Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology
|September 17, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Noroviruses (NoVs) cause frequent, contagious pediatric gastroenteritis, leading to hospitalizations. More data is needed on childhood NoV impact, other infections, and socioeconomic effects while awaiting vaccines.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Noroviruses (NoVs) are a leading cause of acute pediatric gastroenteritis.
  • Despite being often self-limiting, NoV infections cause significant morbidity due to high contagiousness.
  • NoVs account for a substantial percentage of both outbreak-related and sporadic pediatric gastroenteritis cases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the significant public health burden of Norovirus in children.
  • To underscore the need for further epidemiological research on childhood NoV infections.
  • To identify key areas for future research, including age-specific impacts, non-gastroenteritis roles, and socioeconomic consequences.

Main Methods:

  • This study is a review of existing literature and epidemiological data on Norovirus in pediatric populations.
  • Analysis of reported outbreak and sporadic case data for Norovirus-induced gastroenteritis in children.
  • Synthesis of information regarding disease severity, hospitalization rates, and reported fatalities in immunocompromised children.

Main Results:

  • Noroviruses are responsible for 47-96% of pediatric gastroenteritis outbreaks and 5-36% of sporadic cases.
  • NoV-induced gastroenteritis frequently leads to hospitalization in children.
  • Severe and fatal cases have been documented in immunocompromised pediatric patients.

Conclusions:

  • There is an urgent need for comprehensive epidemiological data on childhood Norovirus infections.
  • Further research should investigate the impact across different pediatric age groups and potential roles in non-gastrointestinal infections.
  • Understanding the socioeconomic impact on households is crucial for developing effective public health strategies and interventions.

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