Rotavirus Infection in the Nursery

Lee, Hyun Ji; Choi, Hye Ryung; Cho, Su Jin; Seo, Jeong Wan; Park, Eun Ae

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to investigate the transmission route and determine the clinical characteristics of rotavirus infection in asymptomatic neonate in the nursery.
METHODS
From November to December 2001, 88 term neonates in the nursery of Ewha Womans University Hospital were evaluated for the screening of rotavirus infection. Fecal specimens of neonate were tested for rotavirus by latex agglutination. The clinical characteristics were compared between the rotavirus positive and negative group and follow up was done by OPD visiting or by telephone.
RESULTS
Among the 88 neonates, 17 cases(19%) were rotavirus positive result. There were no difference in sex, delivery method, gestational age, birth weight, birth place between the rotavirus positive group and negative group, but mixed feeding was more common in the rotavirus positive group (p=0.01). Only 3 neonates in the rotavirus negative group were readmitted because of diarrhea. Readmission rate and clinical symptoms were not different in the two groups during follow up.
CONCLUSION
The positive rate of rotavirus in nursery is high, but most of all were asymptomatic. Routine rotavirus screening test among asymptomatic neonate seems to be unnecessary. The neonate with rotavirus have to be isolated for preventing the spreading.