ABSTRACT
The study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of rotavirus infection in children with gastroenteritis, and to correlate this prevalence with demographic and climatic conditions that might influence virus transmission. Stool samples from 991 children with gastroenteritis who were seen at sultan Qaboos University Hospital between Janaury 1996 and December 1999 were tested for rotavirus antigen by a latex agglutination test. Data on patients' age and gender, and the unit within the hospital where the patient was treated, were recorded Monthly temperature and relative humidity data were obtained from reports of the Department of Meteorology of the Directorate of Civil Aviation. Rotavirus antigen was detected in 114 [11.5%] of the children with diarrhea. Ninety percent of rotavirus gastroenteritis cases were under 2 years of age but neonatal rotavirus was not encountered and the youngest patient was 3 months of age. The prevalence of rotavirus infection was significantly higher in hospitalised than non-hospitalised children [12.6% v/s 7.0%, p<0.05] Infection was also more common in males than females [12.5% v/s 10.0%] but this difference was not statistically significant [p<0.25%]. More infections occurred during the cooler months of December, January and February than in the hotter months but there was no correlation with relative humidity. Rotavirus is a significant cause of gastroenteritis in young children seen at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital. Environmental temperature has some influene on virus transmission but not relative humidity