Burden of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis in the Pediatric Emergency Service

Objective: Rotavirus has an important role in viral childhood gastroenteritis all over the world. Acute gastroenteritis constitutes an important part of pediatric emergency department admissions. We aimed to evaluate the burden of rotavirus gastroenteritis in the pediatric emergency department. Material and Methods: Patients who were admitted to Ankara University Faculty of Medicine Pediatric Emergency Department between August 1, 2011 and July 31, 2012 with a diagnosis of acute gastroenteritis were included in this study. Clinical characteristics and the data of patients with a positive rotavirus antigen test in stool were analyzed retrospectively. Stool samples were examined by using an immunochromatographic test (CerTest Rota Kart BIOTEC, Zaragoza, Spain). Results: In the study period, 3046 stool samples for rotavirus antigen were evaluated, and 552 patients (284 boys, 268 girls) were found to have positive test results. The ages of the patients ranged from 36 days to 14.59 years, with a median of 1.70 years; 58.1% of the patients were under 2 years. The patient admissions were more frequent in winter and less frequent summer months. It was determined that 46% of the patients were followed up in the pediatric emergency department or pediatric infection disease services; 66.8% of these patients were under 2 years, and no patients were hospitalized over the age of 5. Conclusion: As a result, rotavirus gastroenteritis had a higher frequency under 2 years of age and in winter; also, hospitalizations were more frequent in this age group. Most of the patients were followed up in the pediatric emergency department and discharged after the treatment; thus, the burden of hospital inpatient services was reduced. Pediatric emergency departments have an important role in the treatment of rotavirus gastroenteritis. (J Pediatr Inf 2014; 8: 99-104)