Analysis of the relative frequency of rotavirus detected in acute diarrhea cases in children under ۵ years of age at Imam Sajjad Hospital, Yasuj City

Background and Aim : Worldwide, rotavirus is one of the most prevalent causes of severe diarrhea among infants and other children under ۵ years of age. The diarrhea induced by the virus results in loss of water and electrolytes which in return leads to dehydration and even death. The objective of the present research is to determine the frequency of rotavirus among children under ۵ years of age with acute diarrhea at Yasuj City’s Imam Sajjad Hospital.Methods : In the span of one year (۲۰۱۸), stool samples were taken from children under ۵ years with acute gastroenteritis who were hospitalized at Imam Sajjad Hospital of Yasuj City. The patients’ medical data were registered in the form of a questionnaire. This was a descriptive-analytical study. Chromatographic immunoassay was used to detect any rotavirus group A in the samples. The resultant data were then analyzed using SPSS research software and chi-square test.Results : Out of a total of ۱۶۴ samples, ۸۳ samples (relative frequency of ۵۰.۶ percent) were positively identified as infected with the rotavirus group A. The highest frequency of ۴۹.۵ percent was found in the ۷-۱۲ months age group where male infants had the maximum frequency of ۶۱.۴۵ within this group. The peak season of rotavirus incidence among the target population was in winter with a frequency of ۴۱ percent, and the lowest seasonal incidence was in spring with a frequency of ۸.۴ percent. The frequency of rotavirus among breast feeding infants was significantly lower than infants who were on formula (۳۳.۷ percent vs. ۵۵.۴ percent); p<۰.۰۵.Conclusion : Results we obtained in our research indicates a high incidence rate of acute rotavirus diarrhea among the target population. Thus, it is recommended that similar studies are conducted in various regions of Iran to detect rotavirus and prevent misusing of antibiotics for treating rotavirus diarrhea infections and take preventative measures (the need for incorporating inoculation in the national public vaccination program).

Keywords:

acute gastroenteritis , rotavirus , infants , children , frequency