Study of clinical profile of rotaviral gastroenteritis among patients admitted in a tertiary care hospital

Abstract Objectives To study the incidence and clinical profile of rotaviral gastroenteritis (RVGE) among patients admitted with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in Jehangir hospital. Methods 75 children aged 1 month to 5 years admitted with AGE during Jan 2012 to July 2013 were studied. Detailed history and clinical profile were documented. Their stool samples were sent for routine examination, rotaviral and adenoviral studies by immunochromatographic test. Results We studied 75 children with AGE, of which, 27 (36%) were positive for rotavirus and 6 (8%) for adenovirus. Out of the 27 rotaviral diarrhea patients, 15 (55.5%) were infants, 10 (37%) were between 1 and 3 years and 2 (7.4%) were in 3–5 age group. There was clustering of cases in the first quarter of the year without any remarkable seasonal variability. The average duration of rotaviral diarrhea was 4.7 days and average hospital stay was about 3.8 days. None of these RVGE patients progressed to persistent diarrhea or required hospitalization beyond 7 days. The common presenting features were vomiting, loose motions and fever. The degree of dehydration was mild in all patients. Conclusion This study documents the high incidence of rotaviral diarrhea in our population. It also highlights the fact that rotaviral diarrhea predominantly occurs in younger children, particularly infants. Early health care access and good nutritional status probably accounted for the mild disease in our population.