Rotavirus-associated acute gastroenteritis in children under five years: a cross-sectional study from southern Iran

Marjan  Tariverdi; Mohammad  Tamaddondar; Dariush  Hooshyar; Marjan  Fallahi; Mohammad Bagher  Rahmati; Maryam Mohammadian  Hakami; Ali  Asgari; Hossein  Abdollahi

doi:10.18502/ijm.v18i3.21664

Marjan Tariverdi Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Research Development Center of Children's Hospital, Hormozgan University of Medical Science, Bandar Abbas, Iran
Mohammad Tamaddondar Department of Nephrology, School of Medicine, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Hormozgan, Iran
Dariush Hooshyar Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
Marjan Fallahi Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Research Development Center of Children's Hospital, Hormozgan University of Medical Science, Bandar Abbas, Iran
Mohammad Bagher Rahmati Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Research Development Center of Children's Hospital, Hormozgan University of Medical Science, Bandar Abbas, Iran
Maryam Mohammadian Hakami Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Research Development Center of Children's Hospital, Hormozgan University of Medical Science, Bandar Abbas, Iran
Ali Asgari Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Research Development Center of Children's Hospital, Hormozgan University of Medical Science, Bandar Abbas, Iran
Hossein Abdollahi Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v18i3.21664

Keywords: Rotavirus infections; Gastroenteritis; Child; Preschool; Infant; Dehydration

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Rotavirus is a major cause of acute gastroenteritis in children. This study assessed the fre-

quency and clinical characteristics of rotavirus infection in children under five years old.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020 on children with acute gastroenteritis. Clinical and demographic data were collected, dehydration severity was assessed by a pediatrician, and stool samples obtained within

48 hours of admission were tested for rotavirus antigen using ELISA.

Results: A total of 301 children with acute gastroenteritis were included. Rotavirus antigen was detected in 34.6% of cases. Vomiting (81.2%) and diarrhea (96.1%) were significantly common among rotavirus-positive children (p = 0.01). Severe de- hydration (>10%) and the need for parenteral rehydration were observed more frequently among rotavirus-positive children compared with rotavirus-negative cases (20.9% vs. 9.2%, p = 0.02 and 91.1% vs. 78.1%, p = 0.01, respectively). However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously, as clinical severity may also have been influenced by other demographic and clinical factors.

Conclusion: Rotavirus was detected in a considerable proportion of children with acute gastroenteritis in southern Iran. Rotavirus-positive cases showed more frequent severe dehydration, although this finding should be interpreted cautiously. Early assessment and supportive care remain important.