Indian J Pediatr. 2025 Nov 12. doi: 10.1007/s12098-025-05815-0. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Jharkhand was the first state in India to introduce ROTASIIL to reduce rotavirus diarrhea-related morbidity and mortality in children. This analysis focused on the burden of rotavirus diarrhea, associated risk factors, and the most prevalent rotavirus genotypes in children hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis (AGE).
METHODS: Surveillance of AGE in children aged under 5 y was carried out in 12 health facilities in four districts of Jharkhand from 2019 to 2023. Stool samples were screened for rotavirus, and the positive samples were subsequently genotyped. Factors associated with rotavirus positivity were identified using multivariable logistic regression.
RESULTS: Of 3,319 children screened, 1,937 eligible children were included in the analysis. Of 1,801 stool samples tested, 39.8% were rotavirus-positive, with a peak prevalence in the winter months. The total family size [aOR 95% CI, 0.69 (0.55-0.86)], paternal education [aOR 95% CI, 0.68 (0.55-0.85)], age of the child [aOR 95% CI, 0.37 (0.25-0.55)], rotavirus vaccination status [aOR 95% CI, 0.66 (0.50-0.86)], and length of hospital stay [aOR 95% CI, 0.82 (0.66-1.01)] were significantly associated with rotavirus positivity. The most prevalent rotavirus genotypes were G2P[4], and G3P[8].
CONCLUSIONS: Rotavirus remains an important cause of gastroenteritis in children aged under 5 y, particularly in infants, despite the availability of rotavirus vaccination. Declining rotavirus positivity in children with AGE and changes in the distribution of rotavirus genotypes during the study period may be attributable to the effects of vaccination.
PMID:41222875 | DOI:10.1007/s12098-025-05815-0
