Epidemiological surveillance of rotavirus in children aged 0 to 59 months from 2010 to 2022 at the National Hospital of Niamey, Niger

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Rotaviruses belong to the reovirus or reoviridae family. They are the main cause of acute diarrhea in children under five years old. The objective of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology of Rotavirus at the National Hospital of Niamey from 2010-2022 through epidemiological surveillance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was an open retrospective cohort study covering a period of 13 years from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2022. All cases of acute diarrhea recorded in the rotavirus surveillance database from the National Hospital of Niamey were included. RESULTS: Male patients were in the majority with 61.25% and the age group from 0 to 11 months predominated with 53.05%. The average age was 13.42 months±2.34 varying from 0 to 59 months. The majority of patients, 76.83%, passed 3 to 5 stools per day. The average duration of diarrhea was 4.8 days±1.17. Patients with dehydration on admission were 72.40%, of which 37.01% were cases of severe dehydration. Vomiting was present in 38.17% of cases. The majority of patients, 75.04%, were vaccinated. The ELISA viral research test was positive in 28.90% of cases, the majority of which were children under 11 months of age, 51.59%. Strict oral rehydration (SRO) was the treatment of choice in 60.71% of patients. In-hospital mortality was 1.75%. CONCLUSION: Rotavirus gastroenteritis is a public health problem in Niger. Adequate hygiene measures and vaccination can eradicate this scourge