title: Nosocomial rotavirus gastroenterocolitis in a large tertiary paediatric hospital in Warsaw, 2006-2010.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rotaviruses are the leading cause of community-acquired and nosocomial gastroenterocolitis in children. There are limited data concerning the epidemiology of nosocomial rotavirus gastroenterocolitis (NRVG) in Central European countries, including Poland. The aim of our study was to analyse the epidemiology of NRVG in a large tertiary hospital in Warsaw.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analysed retrospectively data of 63 173 patients aged 0-18 years hospitalized in the period 2006-2010. Nosocomial rotavirus gastroenterocolitis was defined as acute gastroenterocolitis (> 3 loose, or looser than normal, stools in 24 h and/or vomiting), confirmed with rapid immunochromatographic test (BioMaxima, Poland), if symptoms developed > 48 h after admission.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total 575 cases of NRVG were diagnosed. The cumulative attack rate of NRVG was calculated as 0.91% (95% CI: 0.85-0.98%). The incidence density was 2.05/1000 bed-days (95% CI: 0.19-0.22/1000 bed-days). The mean proportion of NRVG among all rotavirus infections was 24%. The highest rates of NRVG were noted at wards where the mean duration of hospital stay was longer than 5 days (General Paediatrics and Neonatal Pathology). Seventy-one percent of children with NRVG were younger than 2 years. The mean duration of hospital stay of children with NRVG was longer than the average duration of hospitalization (11.6 days vs. 4.6 days, p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study showed a relevant incidence of NRVG, which can prolong the children's hospital stay. Limiting the number of NRVG is important to improve patients' safety and to avoid additional costs. Routine vaccination against rotavirus diseases could reduce the number of NRVG.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Aneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nitsch-Osuch
authors.forename: Ernest
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kuchar
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kosmala
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zycinska
authors.forename: Kazimierz
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wardyn
keywords: children; epidemiology; hospital infection; viral diarrhoea