[5th day convulsions of the newborn infant in rotavirus infections].
OBJECTIVE
The pathogenesis of fifth day fits in newborns has not yet been explained. From 1989-1991 we observed an epidemic occurrence of 21 cases in 1917 hospitalized newborn children. After finding rotavirus in the faeces of several cases we suspected a coincidence.


METHODS
We tested the faeces of 19 fifth day fitters as well as 30 healthy newborns (4.-6. day of life) for rotavirus infection. The results of all clinically indicated rotavirus examinations in neonates of 4 to 6 days of age from 1989-1991 were analysed. In 6 rotavirus positive fifth day fitters we performed an immunologic and electron microscopic examination of cerebrospinal fluid.


RESULTS
18 of 19 examined children with fifth day fits (95%) had rotavirus in the faeces. Within the healthy control group we found 12 of 30 (40%, Chi-square 12.46, p < 0.001) and in the group of sick neonates without convulsions 98 of 202 (48.5%, Chi-square 12.44, p < 0.001). This shows a statistically significant coincidence of rotavirus positive faeces with fifth day fits. Rotavirus was not present in cerebrospinal fluid.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest a causal relation between fifth day fits and rotavirus infections. Pathogenetic details remain unclear.
Kinderklinik Städtische Kliniken Kassel.
B
B
Herrmann
B
B
Lawrenz-Wolf
C
C
Seewald
B
B
Selb
H
H
Wehinger
D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D004751:Enteritis / Q000382:microbiology*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D013036:Spasms, Infantile / Q000382:microbiology*; D017201:Virus Shedding