Burden of Nosocomial and Community-Acquired Rotavirus Gastroenteritis in Children

Authors : Burcu Cura Yayla, Tuğba Bedir Demirdağ, Cemalettin Güneş, Hasan Tezer, Gülendam Bozdayı, Anıl Tapisiz
Pages : 791-799
Doi:10.5798/dicletip.1840909
View : 27 | Download : 78
Publication Date : 2025-12-12
Article Type : Research Paper
Abstract :Background: This study aimed to evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics, seasonal distribution, vaccination status, and complications of rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) in children, as well as the frequency and clinical features of nosocomial RVGE. Methods: This retrospective study included pediatric patients aged 1 month to 18 years who were diagnosed with RVGE at a tertiary university pediatric hospital in Türkiye over a five-year period. The diagnosis of RVGE was based on the detection of rotavirus antigen in stool samples. Data on demographics, hospitalization, nosocomial status, complications, seasonal distribution, and vaccination status were obtained from hospital records, and vaccination status was confirmed via caregiver interviews. Nosocomial RVGE was defined as symptom onset ≥48 hours after admission or within 72 hours of discharge. Results: A total of 391 children were diagnosed with RVGE; 227 (58.1%) were outpatients and 164 (41.9%) were hospitalized. Nosocomial infection occurred in 60 (15.3%) of all RVGE cases, corresponding to 36.6% of hospitalized RVGE cases. The median age was 11 months (1–52) for outpatients, 10 months (1–61) for inpatients, and 5 months (1–40) for nosocomial cases. RVGE was most frequently observed in winter (36.6%). Complications occurred in 123 (31.5%) patients, the most common was dehydration, followed by bacteremia, pneumonia, seizures, and elevated liver enzymes. Only 8 children (2%) were vaccinated against rotavirus. Conclusion: Rotavirus remains a significant cause of gastroenteritis and hospitalization in children, particularly among the unvaccinated. The high rate of nosocomial transmission highlights the need for strengthened infection control practices and consideration of routine rotavirus vaccination in national immunization programs.
Keywords : Rotavirüs, gastroenterit, çocuk, aşılama, nozokomiyal enfeksiyon

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