Epidemiology of Acute Rotavirus Diarrhea Among Hospitalized Children Under Five Years of Age in Hefei, China, During 2015-2018

Background: Rotavirus infection is still the leading cause of acute viral gastroenteritis in children under five years of age worldwide. It is also a serious public health concern in China. Objectives: This study aimed to obtain information about rotavirus diarrhea among hospitalized children in Hefei City, Anhui Province, China, in recent years. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study over four years (2015 - 2018) examining hospital admission records of rotavirus infections at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in Hefei City of Anhui Province, China. Results: A total of 1,095 cases with acute viral gastroenteritis requiring hospital admission from January 2015 to December 2018 were analyzed. Among them, 276 cases were positive for rotavirus A infection, accounting for 25.21% of the total number of children suffering from acute diarrhea. The detection rate of rotavirus A was the highest in children aged 1 - 2 years. The peak month for rotavirus infection during 2015 - 2018 was December and January. The hospitalized children with rotavirus infection showed dehydration, electrolyte disorder, liver function abnormality, and myocardial enzyme abnormality. Conclusions: Rotavirus is still the first pathogen of acute viral diarrhea in children in Hefei, especially children < 2 years of age, which highlights the need for widespread rotavirus immunization in young children.