Analysis of the prevalence of norovirus infection in children with single center acute gastroenteritis during 2021-2022 / 国际儿科学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the prevalence of norovirus and the correlation between norovirus infection and stool traits and clinical symptoms in children with acute gastroenteritis during 2021-2022.Method:A total of 2 195 anal swab samples were collected from cases of acute gastroenteritis in Beijing Children 's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from January 2021 to December 2022. PCR fluorescent probe assay was performed to detect norovirus，the clinical information and test results were performed by statistical analysis. Results:The detection rate of norovirus was 19.09%（419/2 195）in 2 195 children. The detection rates of male and female were 17.80%（244/1 371）and 21.24%（175/824），respectively，with statistically significant differences between genders（ χ2=3.945, P<0.05）. The positivity rate of noroviruses was higher in aged 1 month to 3 years［29.09%（64/220）~40.69%（94/231）］，especially in 1 year［40.69%（94/231）］. The norovirus detection rate ranged from 2.44%（2/82）to 35.84%（62/173）in different months，with a high detection rate between January and March，higher in the winter and spring［28.36%（150/529），21.07%（146/693）］，showing a clear seasonal distribution.Clinical symptoms of both vomiting and diarrhea were significantly more common among norovirus positive than negative children，the difference was statistically significant（ χ2=57.29, P<0.05）. Conclusion:In the high incidence season of winter and spring，for infants and young children aged 1 month to 3 years with diarrhea accompanied by vomiting symptoms，especially those aged 1 year，it is recommended to undergo norovirus related testing in time. Early treatment and isolation measures should be taken for diagnosed children to reduce cross infection and prevent outbreaks.