UNDER EVALUATED ROTAVIRUS INFECTION IN ROMANIA, PROSPECTIVE CLINICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY. THERAPEUTIC AND ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS
Abstract:
We aimed at conducting a prospective and observational study of cases with rotavirus gastroenteritis admitted between 1 January 2011-31 December 2012 at the Infectious Diseases and Pediatric Departments from Sibiu, the patients being aged 0-16 years old. We followed the seasonality, the clinical aspects and the elements of severity of the disease, laboratory examinations, the need for parenteral hydration and hospitalization costs. The dates were statistically analyzed by Epi Info7. 114 cases were diagnosed with rotavirus gastroenteritis in 2011 and 122 cases in 2012, more frequently in the colder months, more often in male patients-sex ratio M / F 1.42 / 1 in 2011, 1.18 / 1 in 2012 and in the age group between 1-3 years old (58.90% of cases). The clinical severity was assessed by Vesikari score showing the following results: 91 cases admitted in 2011 (79.82%) and 112 cases admitted in 2012 (91.80%) presenting an average/sever score. 15 cases presented neurological symptoms and also 15 cases had renal failure. Among the electrolyte disorders, the most commonly found was hyponatremia (<130 mEq/l) in 83 cases in 2011 and 51 cases in 2012, one case from the period in study was found with severe hypernatremia (> 150mEq/l). The hospitalization costs of RV gastroenteritis cases ranged from 58.60€ to 5345 RON (1243.02€) namely between 31.5% of the national average salary and 5.68 times the average salary. Conclusion. It is necessary to widen the investigation of RV gastroenteritis at easier/medium clinical forms that are treated at home in order to assess objectively the scale of the phenomenon in Romania and to obtain the government support for the introduction of the vaccination into the national immunization programme.
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