Prevalence of Rotavirus Infection among Diarrheal Children in Baghdad City

Background Rotavirus infection causing gastroenteritis is one of the major health concerns throughout the world. Millions of children are affected by the disease. Objectives To determine the prevalence of Rota virus among diarrheal children and study the relation of Rotavirus with some of the major socio- demographic factors and clinical features. Materials and Methods The patients of this study included 100 who came to the AL-Imamin AL-Kadhimin Medical City, suffering from gastrointestinal complaints with diarrhea. General fecal samples were taken from them during the period from May 2014 to February 2015. The age range was 1month to 18 years. The fecal specimens were collected in sterile containers, stored at -20c until test for the presence of human Rotavirus antigen by ELISA and Dia spot test were performed. Results We examined 100 children with diarrhea, the rotavirus antigen was detected in 24 % of fecal specimens from children with diarrhoea. Human rotavirus antigen was detected more in stool of child less than 2 years of age, more in low mother education group and rural patients, and less among breast-fed infants. There was no sex predilection to get the infection with the virus. Children with diarrhoea due to rotavirus infection may have certain clinical features that raise the indexes of suspicion for a clinical diagnosis of the condition. Conclusion The present study confirms the current burden of rotavirus gastroenteritis in infants, and usually associated with one or more respiratory symptoms and it is highly prevalent among children from rural areas and of low mother education. The clinical features from children with rotavirus gastroenteritis are non-specific but highly suggestive and should raise the indexes of suspicion of infection with this virus.