Acute diarrhoea and rotavirus infections in young children in Kuwait

Abstract

The role of rotavirus infections in acute diarrhoea in young children was studied over a period of one year. Rotavirus was detected by electron microscopy and enzyme immunoassay methods in 40.2% of faecal specimens from 343 children with acute diarrhoea and in 4.7% of 86 controls. The infections were most common in children aged 2-12 months (42.3%). Twelve per cent of the rotavirus infected children were also infected with bacterial enteropathogens (Salmonellae, Shigellae and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli). The incidence of rotavirus infections was not related to sex, socio-economic or nutritional status of children. Rotavirus-associated diarrhoea differed in several clinical parameters from bacterial associated and nonspecific diarrhoea. Rotavirus was detected throughout the year but was most frequent during months with little rainfall and low humidity (March-May). Our results suggest that in Kuwait, rotavirus infection is a major cause of childhood diarrhoea.

The Epidemiology of Rotavirus Diarrhea in Countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

“…Eight of the 11 studies provided sufficient data to plot age distribution curves of all patients !2 years of age with rotavirus diarrhea, and a younger age distribution was observed in studies from Kuwait, Morocco, and Bahrain. By 12 months of age, 88%, 84%, and 83% of cases of rotavirus infection among children from Kuwait, Bahrain, and Morocco, respectively, had occurred, and the incidence in the remaining countries ranged from 66% (Egypt) to 44% (Pakistan) [26,[28][29][30][31]. Most of the rotavirus infections (190%) were observed by 3 years of age in all studies except 1 from Saudi Arabia, which reported that 85% of cases had occurred by age 2 years (data not shown) [32].…”

RotavirusDiarrhea among Children in Taiz, Yemen: Prevalence—Risk Factors and Detection of Genotypes

“…The percentage of Rotavirus infection in infants and young children was 40% in Kuwait [14], 37% in both Turkey [15] and Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan [16], 33% in Jordan [17], and 31% in Oman [18]. …”

Acute Diarrheal Disease in Children under Five Years of Age in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia

“…This finding does not differ from those reported from other countries. [10][11][12][13] Rotavirus is recognized as a leading cause of gastroenteritis in newborn nurseries and the existence of an asymptomatic infection cannot be ruled out. A recent study 14 cited a 12% incidence of asymptomatic infection, though some studies have shown higher figures.…”