Clinical features in hospitalised children with acute gastroenteritis. Does the rotavirus syndrome exist?
In a prospective study of children referred to hospital, rotavirus was identified in 37% of 128 patients with acute gastroenteritis. As compared with patients with non-rotavirus gastroenteritis, those with rotavirus gastroenteritis showed the following clinical characteristics: Age between 5 months and 4 years. Occurrence of the rotavirus infection almost exclusively during the winter season. Severe vomiting. Absence of gross blood in the stools. However, these signs did not form a safe basis for the clinical diagnosis of rotavirus gastroenteritis. One or more signs of upper respiratory illness were observed in 36% of the patients with rotavirus gastroenteritis and in 35% of those with non-rotavirus gastroenteritis. Consequently, the existence of a rotavirus syndrome is questioned. It is argued that upper respiratory illnesses in patients with rotavirus gastroenteritis could be due to a separate infection occurring coincidentally.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D012621:Seasons; D013577:Syndrome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents