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Rotavirus infection in Nigerian infants and young children with gastroenteritis
Insights
Rotavirus gastroenteritis affected 13.8% of Nigerian children aged 1-48 months. Infection rates were highest in males and during drier months, particularly in infants 7-12 months old.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Gastroenteritis is a common illness in infants and young children worldwide.
- Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe diarrheal disease in this age group.
- Understanding rotavirus epidemiology in specific regions is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of rotavirus in infants and young children with acute gastroenteritis in Ife, Nigeria.
- To investigate age-specific and sex-specific incidence rates of rotavirus infection.
- To analyze the seasonal variation of rotavirus gastroenteritis during the study period.
Main Methods:
- Fecal samples were collected from 116 children aged 1-48 months presenting with acute gastroenteritis.
- Counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) was used to detect rotaviruses in the collected samples.
- Data on patient demographics (age, sex) and sample collection dates were recorded for analysis.
Main Results:
- Rotavirus was detected in 13.8% (16 out of 116) of the children studied.
- The highest infection rate (18.9%) was observed in the 7- to 12-month age group.
- Males showed a significantly higher rate of rotavirus excretion compared to females (P < 0.01).
- Rotavirus infections were more frequent during the drier months (November-January, 19.3%) than the rainy months (September-October, 8.5%).
Conclusions:
- Rotavirus is a significant cause of acute gastroenteritis among young children in Ife, Nigeria.
- The findings highlight specific risk factors, including male sex, younger age (7-12 months), and drier seasons.
- This data can inform targeted prevention and control strategies for rotavirus disease in the region.
Abstract:
In a study conducted over a 5-month period (September 1979 to January 1980), rotaviruses were detected by counterimmunoelectrophoresis in the feces of 16 (13.8%) of 116 infants and young children between 1 and 48 months old with acute, sporadic gastroenteritis, at Ife, Nigeria. The highest frequency of rotavirus infection was found in th 7- to 12-month age-group (18.9%). Males constituted 61% of the sample and excreted rotavirus at a significantly higher rate than did females (P less than 0.01). Rotavirus infection was higher in the drier months of November-January (19.3%) than during the rainy months of September and October (8.5%).