title: [Rotaviruses as a cause of nosocomial infections in Poland--systematic review with metaanalysis of 11 studies].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rotavirus infections have been important health problem of Polish children both as primary cause of hospital admissions and nosocomial infections. Due to the lack of acquired immunity in first years of life, (96,7%) in hospitalized children reported in Poland in 2009. A high incidence of hospital infections is explained by mass excretion of rotaviruses in feces, as well as high infectivity and stability of the rotavirus in the environment. Pediatric departments are regarded as a favorable environment for rotavirus transmission. The exact number of nosocomial rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVHI) is unknown, but several publication concerning this problem are available. OBJECTIVES. The aim of the paper was a systematic review of epidemiologic situation regarding hospital rotaviral infections In Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS. Systematic literature search within databases (Pubmed, CINAHL, Cochrane, EMBASE) using key words: "biegunka szpitalna" OR "zakazenie wewnatrzszpitalne" OR "zakazenie wewnatrz-oddziałowe" OR "hospital infection" OR "hospital diarrhea" OR "nosocomial infection" AND "Rotavirus" AND "Poland" was performed in August 2011. The searching was limited to period from January 1988 to August 2011. Data were also searched using traditional methods as reference analysis and contact with authors of found studies. A total of 18 publications describing epidemiology of RVHI were found. Seven studies were excluded due to the lack of necessary data and 11 studies describing epidemic situation in period 1981-2009 were selected to perform meta-analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We estimated that 0,72% (95% CI 0,68-0,76%) of children In Poland acquired rotavirus infection during their stay in a hospital and RVHI accounted for 22,6% (95% CI 21,5-23,7%) of all rotaviral gastroenteritis in hospitalized children in Poland.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our meta-analysis confirmed frequent occurrence of RVHI in polish hospitals. Nosocomial rotavirus infections are responsible for the substantial proportion of rotaviral gastroenteritis in hospitalized children and are closely related to community infections. Due to susceptibility, hospital infections occur mainly in childrenwithin their first two years of life and prolong their stay in a hospital. The number of hospital rotaviral diarrhea episodes should be reduced with universal immunizations, prevention of rotavirus transmission and use of probiotics.
authors.affiliation: Katedra i Klinika Pediatrii i Chorób Infekcyjnych Akademii Medycznej we Wrocławiu. ernest.kuchar@am.wroc.pl
authors.forename: Ernest
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kuchar
authors.forename: Aneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nitsch-Osuch
authors.forename: Leszek
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Szenborn
authors.forename: Elzbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ołdak
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000821:virology*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*