Acute diarrhoea induced by rotavirus in children hospitalysed in Provincial Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Bydgoszcz in 2014 year

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to describe the epidemiology and course of rotavirus infection in children hospitalized at the T. Browicz Provincial Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Bydgoszcz, Poland in 2014 year.

INTRODUCTION: Rotavirus infection is responsible for over 2 millions hospitalizations per year among children under 5 year old. Rotavirus gastroenterocolitis is one of the most common cause of severe dehydration, electrolyte disturbances and metabolic acidosis, leading to 400-600 thousand deaths per year in children younger than 5 years of age worldwide.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of medical records of 401 patients hospitalized in 2014 year in the Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Ward at Provincial Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Bydgoszcz, diagnosed with rotavirus gastroenterocolitis was taken.

RESULTS: Over the study period, 1205 children with acute gastroenterocolitis were hospitalized. Rotavirus-related diarrhea was diagnosed in 401 (33%) cases. The mean age of admitted patients was 2,75 years and it ranged from 3 weeks to 17 years of age. In the analyzed group, 56% cases occurred in children 1-3 years of age. The mean length of hospitalization was 5,5 days (ranged from 1 to 55 days). Most of children – 244/401 (61%) were hospitalized for 4-7 days. Presence of additional etiological factor was related with prolonged hospitalization – average up to 8,3 days. There were reported a hypertransaminazemia (ALAT 47-429 IU/l) in 11% cases. Hypoglycemia (<60 mg/dl) was noted in 18/213 (8,45%) children. Metabolic acidosis (pH ≤7,350) occurred in 35/146 (24%) cases. Hypokalemia (K+ <3,5 mmol/l) were reported in 16/154 (10%) patients, and hyponatremia (Na+ <135 mmol/l) in 73/154 (47,4%) patients. In our studies 19/401 (4,7%) children were vaccinated against rotaviruses.

CONCLUSIONS: 1. Rotavirus infections are the most common cause of diarrheas in children, concerning mainly patients under 4 years of age. 2. Rotavirus infections can lead to many serious complications - electrolyte disturbances, metabolic acidosis and hypoglycemia. 3. Among our patients rotavirus vaccination insensibly reduced duration of hospitalization.