Abstract
Objective: Viral gastroenteritis is the most frequent cause of gastroenteritis in childhood. The major enteric viruses are rotaviruses, enteric adenoviruses, astroviruses and human caliciviruses including noroviruses and sapoviruses. Recent surveys conducted in various countries have identified noroviruses as an important enteric pathogens in sporadic cases of gastroenteritis in childhood. However, the epidemiological features and disease load are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of norovirus gastroenteritis among viral gastroenteritis cases. Material and Methods: Stool specimens of 96 cases who had presented to our pediatrics outpatient clinic between November 2011 and April 2012 due to diarrhea were analyzed. Rotavirus, enteric adenovirus and norovirus were searched for in stool specimens using the immunochromatographic method. Patients with acute gastroenteritis between the ages of 1-60 months were included in the study. The severity of gastroenteritis was assessed by using the Vesicari scale. Results: Viral antigens were determined in 53 of the 96 stool specimens. Rotaviruses were identified in 39.6%, adenoviruses in 10.4%, and noroviruses in 5.2%. The mean age on admission was 20.4±14.5 (3-59) months. The clinical symptoms associated with viral gastroenteritis in this study were vomiting (77.1%), fever (50%), abdominal cramps (24%), and nausea (18.8%). Vomiting was identified in 92.1% of rotavirus positive patients and this was statistically significant (p=0.005). Conclusion: During the study period of six months, norovirus has determined as third viral pathogen after rotavirus and adenovirus with gastroenteritis in children 0-5 age group.
Published Version
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