Incidence of rotaviral diarrhea and its clinical profile comparison in under 5 children

• Author Details:   
• Aravind Thirugnanasambandam. N.
• Subburaman. V.S.

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Introduction: Rotavirus causes 40% of all hospital admissions due to diarrhea in under 5 children worldwide.
Objectives: To study the incidence and clinical profile of rotaviral diarrhea and comparison of clinical, lab and demographic parameters with non rotaviral causes.
Materials and Methods: Children presenting with acute diarrhea, defined as passage of 3 or more loose watery stools in under 5 years were examined for rotavirus using latex agglutination test. The incidence was calculated and the statistical difference in various clinical parameters plotted using chi square technique.
Results: A total of 188 cases were enrolled for the study. 40 cases were tested positive accounting for 21%. Peak age group was 7 months to 2 years. Socioeconomically lower and middle groups, severe dehydration and hospital stay more than 4 days were more closely associated with rotaviral diarrhea.
Conclusion: The incidence of rotaviral diarrhea was 21% in our study among 188 enrolled cases of acute diarrhea. Age group, severe dehydration, socioeconomic group and duration of hospital stay were significantly different in rotaviral diarrhea children.

Keywords: Rotaviral diarrhea, Non-rotaviral diarrhea, Hospital stay, Dehydration.