699 Rotavirus Gastroenteritis Among Children Under Five Years of Age in Kosovo

Background Infective diarrhea is a common disease in children under age of five in Kosovo. The most common cause are viruses and among them rotavirus is leading. The aim of this study was to reveal epidemiological and clinical data of the disease and discuss implemented modes of treatment. Methods The medical records of children aged 0–5 years hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis in our facility between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2011 were retrieved. Results Of 1011 patients hospitalized in the study period, 116 were rotavirus positive (11.47%). Of all patients, 74.4% were boys and 82.75% up to one year old. The average age for patients was 16.38 months. Eutrophic were 61.12% patients, with first grade hypotrophy were 21.5% patients and with second grade hypotrophy 7.7% patients. All patients presented with diarrea, 97.41% had vomiting and 43.96% fever at the admission. 70.7% of patients had moderate dehydration and 29.3% severe dehydration. Only somewhat less than one third of the patients in study were not treated with antibiotics (36.2%) and somewhat less then every fifteen was given blood and blood derivates (6.9%). Every fifth patient in the study had associated disease. All patients were treated successfully. Conclusion Rotavirus is responsible for significant portion of the acute diarrhea in Kosovo.