The status of rotavirus infection in children under five years of age with gastroenteritis: a cross-sectional study in southern Iran

Abstract

Background The role of rotavirus in exacerbation of clinical manifestations and outcome in children under five years of age with gastroenteritis is still debated. We aimed to assess the frequency of rotavirus in children less than 5 years old with symptoms of gastroenteritis in Bandar Abbas, southern province of Iran. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed on 301 children up to five years of age with more than three episodes of watery diarrhea in the past 24 hours with or without vomiting and referred to children hospital in Bander Abbas in 2020. The Rotavirus Antigen ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) kit was intended for the detection of rotavirus antigen in feces. Results The stool test of 34.6% of patients was positive for rotavirus. Comparing the subgroups with and without rotavirus positivity showed higher rates of diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration. Rotavirus infection was also accompanied with higher episodes and longer duration of diarrhea. Conclusion In our statistical population selected from a province in the south of Iran, one third of gastroenteritis cases of children are associated with a positive test for rotavirus, and rotavirus infection in these children is accompanied by exacerbation of clinical manifestations related to gastroenteritis such as diarrhea and vomiting as well as dehydration.