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A 4-year study on clinical characteristics of children hospitalized with rotavirus gastroenteritis

Wildi-Runge, Stefanie ; Allemann, Simone ; Schaad, Urs ; Heininger, Ulrich

In: European Journal of Pediatrics, 2009, vol. 168, no. 11, p. 1343-1348

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    Title
    • A 4-year study on clinical characteristics of children hospitalized with rotavirus gastroenteritis
    Author
    • Wildi-Runge, Stefanie. University Children's Hospital (UKBB), P.O. Box, 4005, Basel, Switzerland
    • Allemann, Simone. University Children's Hospital (UKBB), P.O. Box, 4005, Basel, Switzerland
    • Schaad, Urs. University Children's Hospital (UKBB), P.O. Box, 4005, Basel, Switzerland
    • Heininger, Ulrich. University Children's Hospital (UKBB), P.O. Box, 4005, Basel, Switzerland
    Document Type
    • Postprint
    OAI-PMH Identifier
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:313884
    Summary
    Rotavirus (RV) is a frequent cause of severe gastroenteritis (GE) in children. With the licensure of new RV vaccines, data on the burden of disease are important regarding immunization strategies. We reviewed the medical records of children hospitalized with RV infection in our institution between July 2002 and March 2006. Relevant data were extracted in a standardized fashion from records of hospitalized children with a positive RV antigen test in a stool sample. Severity of disease was graded by the 20-point Vesikari score. Population data were obtained from the Federal Office of Statistics. Six hundred eighty-six RVGE were identified and records of 608 hospitalizations (in 607 children) were available. In 539 (89%) cases, RVGE was the primary reason for hospitalization and 69 (11%) were nosocomial infections; yearly peaks occurred between February and May. Cumulative incidence of RVGE was 26.7/1,000 children <3years of age. Median age of 539 children (55.6% male) with primary RVGE was 1.4years and median stay in the hospital for both community acquired and nosocomial RVGE was 4days (interquartile range 3-5). Thirtypercent and 94% of RV hospitalizations were in children <1 and <3years of age, respectively. Mean Vesikari score was 15 (range 6-20; 96% >11). Intravenous fluids were administered in 378 (70%) patients, 130 (24%) patients were rehydrated via nasogastral tube, and 31 (5.7%) received rehydration by mouth. RVGE causes a substantial burden in children with an estimated risk for hospitalization due to RVGE of one in 37 children <3years of age