Effects of Rota Vaccine on Severity and Duration of Rotavirus Infection among Children Less Than 5 Years Old at Al Kadhimiya Pediatrics Hospital

Abstract

Rotavirus infection is the leading cause of severe acute gastroenteritis in young children worldwide. Rotavirus diarrheal disease is more severe than diarrhea caused by other enteric pathogens with symptoms including an average of 6 stools per day, severe dehydration, which is 14 times more frequent than in children without rotavirus diarrhea, vomiting and fever. Rotavirus is the single most important cause of severe gastroenteritis in young children throughout the world. Globally, an estimated 700,000 children die each year due to rotavirus diarrhea .Rotavirus transmission, in most cases, occurs through contact with contaminated stool. The usual way of transmission involves ingesting food or water contaminated with the virus. The incubation period for a rotavirus lasts approximately two days. This study was carried out to assess the effectiveness of Rota vaccine on the severity and duration of rotavirus infection admitted to Al Kadhimiyah Pediatrics hospital. The results show that rotavirus vaccine is effective in reducing the severity and duration of infection.Methods: Over a period of one year, from the 1st of January 2016 to the 1st of January 2017. 715 patients admitted with gastroenteritis, detailed vaccination history was taken and stool sample was send for lab investigation of rotavirus using commercial Kits (Biotec® UK).A special questionnaire was designed by researchers for the purpose of data collection. Ages of the patients range were from 2 months-5 years, alfa level was set at 0.05. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 20. Results: Out of 715 stool samples, rotavirus was detected in 375 (52.4%).The majorities 78 % (292) of cases were reported in first two year of age. mean age in months was 8±3 months. 64% (240) were males . mean weight in Kg was 11.6±5 kg , mean height in cm was 82.4±10. 21% (78) of the sample were with no history of rota vaccine. 4.5% (17) of the sample were wasted nutritionally. 86.8% (317) of the samples were on complementary feeding, mean vesikari score was 9.3±2.9.(58.9 %) 221 of the sample were moderate veskari score .mean duration of admission in days was 5 ±2. 63% (236) of the sample were from urban places. only (1.8%) 7 patients outcome was death during the study period. Conclusion: Rota virus vaccine is effective in reducing the severity and duration of infection. Rota virus is an important cause of diarrheal disease in children less than 5 years old.Recommendation: Encouragement of full vaccination against rotavirus as a preventive measure against rotavirus infection.