title: Epidemiology of acute viral gastroenteritis in children hospitalized in Rouen, France.
abstract: This study assessed the epidemiologic characteristics of acute viral gastroenteritis in hospitalized children. A stool sample obtained from each child was analyzed for the presence of astrovirus, calicivirus, rotavirus, adenovirus, enterovirus, and digestive bacteria. Of the 438 stool samples obtained, 138 tested positive for > or =1 pathogen during the winters of 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 (P<.001). Virologic tests revealed rotavirus in 17.3% of samples, calicivirus in 7.3%, astrovirus in 6.8%, adenovirus in 0.7%, and > or =1 virus in 5.4%. Median age was higher for patients with rotavirus gastroenteritis than it was for those with astrovirus or calicivirus gastroenteritis (P=.014). Mean duration of hospitalization was statistically significantly lower for children with rotavirus gastroenteritis (P=.022), despite the more-frequent dehydration observed among children with rotavirus versus those with astrovirus or calicivirus gastroenteritis (P=.007). In contrast, enteral rehydration was more rapidly achieved in patients with gastroenteritis due to rotavirus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Pediatrics, Rouen University Hospital, 76031 Rouen Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Aude
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marie-Cardine
authors.forename: Karine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gourlain
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mouterde
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Castignolles
authors.forename: Marie-France
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Hellot
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mallet
authors.forename: Claudine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Buffet-Janvresse
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003681:Dehydration / Q000209:etiology; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012401:Rotavirus; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology