Detection of rotavirus in children under five years of age presenting with diarrhoea at Mapulaneng Hospital at Bushbuckeridge, Republic of South Africa.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of Rotavirus infection in children under five years of age presenting with diarrhoea.


METHODS
Cross sectional study.


METHODS
Mapulaneng Hospital, Bushbuckridge, Republic of South Africa.


METHODS
50 children under five years of age presenting with diarrhoea.


METHODS
Rotavirus seroprevalence.


RESULTS
Out of 50, 24 (48%) had detectable Rotavirus particles in their stools. The highest incidence of infection was observed among the seven to 12 months age group. Out of the 245 positive subjects 22 (91.7%) were breast fed.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that diarrhoea in children under five years of age is probably caused by Rotavirus in Bushbuckridge. We therefore recommend that all children presenting with diarrhoea should be screened for Rotavirus.
University of North, Department of Medical Sciences, Pietersburg, South Africa.
S A
SA
Tswana
J O
JO
Mitchell
P D
PD
Richards
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology