[Acute infantile diarrhea caused by rotavirus in a pediatric population of Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico]. / Diarrea infantil aguda por rotavirus en una población pediátrica de Mérida, Yucatán, México.

The frequency and clinical characteristics of rotavirus infections were studied in 150 infants hospitalized in the General Hospital "Agustin O'Horán" SSA in Mérida, Yucatán, México, because of acute gastroenteritis during 1986. Rotavirus was detected in 32% of all subjects tested. Rotavirus was detected in all months studied. An age-related incidence peak was observed between 7 and 24 months and the infection proved to prevail within the rural area. The clinical pictures were analyzed. We consider it necessary to carry out many more studies in our country in order to obtain reliable knowledge of this problem.