Abstract :
Introduction: Rotavirus infection is a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in children below 5 years of age. Rotavirus infection is estimated 29% of all diarrheal deaths in children below 5 years of age. It affects almost 95% of children under 5 years of age.
Aims and Objectives: The study was used to detect prevalence of rotavirus infection in children below 5 years of age presenting with diarrhea and vomiting in a tertiary care hospital. The study was used to analyze the epidemiology of Rotavirus infection in local area.
Materials and Methods: All children suffering from acute diarrhea admitted in pediatric ward were included in the study. Stool samples were tested for detection of Rotavirus antigen by ELISA method.
Results: Total 60 stool sample were collected during study period of 2 months. 50 samples were collected from symptomatic patients and 10 samples were collected as control samples. Rotavirus antigen was detected from 6 stool samples.
Conclusion: Rotavirus infection prevalence is 12% in our study which is low when compared to other studies. The factors attributing to this incidence are seasonal variation, socio-economic status and personal hygiene and sanitation practices.
Limitations: As the study duration was 2 months (STS- ICMR Study), further more analysis is required with good sample strength in all seasons to know the epidemiological trends of rotavirus.
Keyword :
Rotavirus, Diarrhea, Risk factors, Stool antigen, ELISA.