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

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.