Frequency of rotavirus in childeren with acute gastroenteritis between 0-5 years of age in Ankara

Abstract

Objective : The aim of the study was to determine the incidense of rotavirus gastroenteritis in Ankara between 0-5 years of age. Material and Method : From January to June 2010, fresh stool samples of 240 patients admitted to our clinic with complaints of diarrhea were studied. Rotavirus antigens were investigated in fresh stool specimens with the qualitative immunochoromatographic test. Results: Of 240 pediatric patients, 68 (28,3%) were identifed as positive for rotavirus antijen. Positive rotavirus antigen was most frequently found in 0-2 age groups (66,2%). Patients in this study, 96 (40%) were female and 144 (60%) were male. Conclusions: The results confirmed that rotavirus is an important cause of gastroenterit in children between 0-5 age. Rotavirus data from Ankara, a socioeconomically improved metropol, are similar to the data of the other regions of Turkey