Rai Muhammad Asghar, Rai Rijjal Ashraf, Id Hussain S Abid.
Prevalence of Rotavirus Associated Diarrhea in Rawalpindi before Rotavirus Vaccine Introduction: a Ten Years Longitudinal study at a Tertiary care Hospital Rawalpindi.
Pak Paed J Jan ;44(1):26-30.

Objectives: To study the prevalence and severity of rotavirus infection among children. Study Design: Longitudinal case series. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pediatrics, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi from 2008-2017. Material & Methods: The Demographic and clinical data from children admitted to hospital with acute diarrhea was recorded on standard clinical form. A fresh stool specimen taken within 24 hours of admission was sent to laboratory for rotavirus testing. Data on admissions and lab positive cases were recorded on monthly basis on computer excel sheets and after checking with the clinical records analyzed using SPSS 24. Results: Of 3551 patients, 57.4% were males and 42. 6% were females (1.3:1). Mean age was 11.73 months (SD+-6.07) 72% were infants, 13.7% had moderate malnutrition (z-scores -3 to -2SD), 17.8% were severely malnourished (z-scores <-3SD). Vomiting was most frequent symptom after diarrhea and fever. The prevalence of rotavirus infection was 26.61%. Conclusion: Prior to induction of rotavirus vaccine in routine EPI, prevalence of rotavirus infection among children with acute diarrhea was 26.61%. One third of rotavirus positive children had severe diarrhea.

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