Epidemiology and impact of rotavirus diarrhoea in Poland

Hospital and laboratory data were analysed in three hospitals to estimate r otavirus disease burden in 1994-96. Community acquired gastroenteritis was diagnosed in 757 children of whom 41% tested positive for rotavirus. A tota l of 196 children had rotavirus nosocomial infections (39% of all rotavirus community-acquired and nosocomial cases). Infants less than 24 months old and children less than 3 months old comprised 74% and 11.9% of admissions f or rotavirus, respectively. Almost 94% of children with rotavirus infection had severe gastroenteritis (score greater than or equal to 11) The annual rate of rotavirus associated hospitalization in Poland in 1996 was 3.1/1000 children under the age of 60 months and 5.2/1000 infants under 24 months o f age. The mean hospital stay was 9.5 d (+/-9.8 d). We estimated that 8918 children under 60 months of age were hospitalized for rotavirus gastroenter itis in 1996; they accounted for 84 899 inpatient days. We conclude that ro tavirus is a leading aetiological agent of severe gastroenteritis in young children in Poland and that the burden of this infection is significant. Ro tavirus vaccine could significantly decrease the hospitalization rate and t he financial impact of rotavirus gastroenteritis in Poland.