The radiographic findings in severe rotavirus-induced colitis

Rotavirus infections are a common cause of childhood gastroenteritis but are rarely severe enough to justify radiographs. However, there appears to be a small subset of children in whom a rotavirus-induced diarrheal illness accompanied by bloody stools is sufficiently severe and protracted to warrant barium studies. We have observed spasm and minute mucosal ulcerations of the colon in three of these children. These findings, under other circumstances, would have prompted the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. These children also had a variety of other findings, such as osteomyelitis, intraocular mycetoma, and positive blood cultures. We suggest that when bloody diarrhea follows or accompanies a typical viral illness, rotavirus particles or antibodies be sought. This may prevent misdiagnosis of ulcerative colitis and unnecessary treatment with steroids.