Rotavirus Nosocomial Infection in Children under 5 years of age: A Preliminary study in Nepal.
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Date
2011-01
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Abstract
Introduction: Rotavirus is one of the most common causes of acute gastroenteritis among infants and
young children. The spread of rotavirus infection in pediatric wards can cause acute diarrhoea during
hospitalization, and in turn, prolong hospitalization or need, rehospitalization. The aim of the study was
to determine the prevalence of nosocomial infection due to rotavirus and other causal organisms among
children less than 5 years of age. Methodology: A cross-sectional study between November 2009 and
May 2010 was conducted among 96 pediatric patients in children hospital, Nepal. Stool samples were
collected during hospitalization and up to 3 days after discharge from the hospital. Rotavirus antigens
were detected by EIA and standard microbiological procedure were applied for other enteric pathogens.
Results: The prevalence of nosocomial infection due to rotavirus was 30.2% (29/96). Of them, 16
(55.17%) of the 29 children with nosocomial infection during hospitalization and/or up to 72 hours after
discharge developed diarrhoea. The prevalence of symptomatic cases of nosocomial infection was
55.17% (16/29), which involved 16.7% (16/96) of the study subjects, showing a prevalence of 44.82%
(13/29) for asymptomatic nosocomial infection consisted of 13.54% (13/96) of the total subjects. Eleven of
the 16 symptomatic subjects of nosocomial infection were affected by diarrhoea during hospitalization and
five subjects after discharge. Bacteria (8.3%) and protozoa (5.2%) agents were also causing nosocomial
infection in children. Conclusions: Children attending hospital may asymptomatically carry enteric
pathogens and potentially act as source of nosocomial infection. Due to the relatively high frequency of
nosocomial infection in the Children Hospital of Nepal, it is necessary to follow strictly hygienic rules such
as isolation of patients with diarrhoea and hand-washing before and after the examination of each patient
and cleaning the examination instruments after use in each patient.
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Keywords
Diarrhoea, children, Rotavirus infection, Cross-sectional study, Nepal
Citation
Sherchan J B, Ohara H, Sherpa K, Sakurada S, Gurung B, Tandukar S, Pradhan L, Burlakoti T, Pokharel B M, Sherchand J B. Rotavirus Nosocomial Infection in Children under 5 years of age: A Preliminary study in Nepal. Journal of Nepal Paediatric Society. 2011 Jan-Apr; 31(1): 30-34.