Original Article

Rotavirus-associated acute gastroenteritis in children under five years: a cross-sectional study from southern Iran

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Rotavirus is a major cause of acute gastroenteritis in children. This study assessed the frequency and clinical characteristics of rotavirus infection in children under five years old.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020 on children with acute gastroenteritis. Clinical and demographic data were collected, dehydration severity was assessed by a pediatrician, and stool samples obtained within 48 hours of admission were tested for rotavirus antigen using ELISA.
Results: A total of 301 children with acute gastroenteritis were included. Rotavirus antigen was detected in 34.6% of cases. Vomiting (81.2%) and diarrhea (96.1%) were significantly common among rotavirus-positive children (p = 0.01). Severe dehydration (>10%) and the need for parenteral rehydration were observed more frequently among rotavirus-positive children compared with rotavirus-negative cases (20.9% vs. 9.2%, p = 0.02 and 91.1% vs. 78.1%, p = 0.01, respectively). However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously, as clinical severity may also have been influenced by other demographic and clinical factors.
Conclusion: Rotavirus was detected in a considerable proportion of children with acute gastroenteritis in southern Iran. Rotavirus-positive cases showed more frequent severe dehydration, although this finding should be interpreted cautiously. Early assessment and supportive care remain important.

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IssueVol 18 No 3 (2026) QRcode
SectionOriginal Article(s)
DOI https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v18i3.21664
Keywords
Rotavirus infections Gastroenteritis Child Preschool Infant Dehydration
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How to Cite
1.
Tariverdi M, Tamaddondar M, Hooshyar D, Fallahi M, Rahmati MB, Mohammadian Hakami M, Asgari A, Abdollahi H. Rotavirus-associated acute gastroenteritis in children under five years: a cross-sectional study from southern Iran. Iran J Microbiol. 2026;18(3):375-381.