Abstract

CASTILLO SERRANO, Ana et al. Acute gastroenteritis in hospitalised children (2005-2010): Epidemiological, Microbiological and Clinical Analysis. Rev Clin Med Fam [online]. 2011, vol.4, n.2, pp.112-119. ISSN 2386-8201.

Objective: The main objective is to analyse the clinical, epidemiological and microbiological characteristics of patients hospitalised with acute gastroenteritis (AG) in the University of Albecete Hospital Complex. The secondary objective is to determine the prevalence in the vaccinated population after the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine at the end of 2006 and if there is any change in the epidemiological pattern. Design: Patients aged under 5 years admitted to the Albacete University Hospital Complex between October 2004 and April 2010 were studied. Main measurements: Demographic, epidemiological and clinical data were collected for all patients admitted for gastroenteritis. Results: Children hospitalised for AG represent 7.8-15.0% of the total annual hospitalisations of children under the age 5 years. The mean age of the children was 14 months. The aetiology was viral in 65% of patients. The rotavirus was the most commonly isolated virus, G9 and G1 being the predominant serotypes. After the introduction of the vaccine a 79% decrease in hospitalisations secondary to a rotavirus infection was reported. Conclusions: There is a decreasing trend in the number of hospitalisations due to AG in children under 5 years. The AG is predominantly of viral aetiology mainly retrovirus. Usefulness of the severity score as a predictor of aetiology. Significant reduction in the number of admittances secondary to rotavirus after the introduction of the vaccine in 2006. In our study it was imposible to determine if vaccination is the only determining factor. High percentage of patients without microbiological diagnosis with the detection tests routinely used in our health area.

Keywords : Gastroenteritis; Child; Rotavirus infections.

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