Nosocomial rotavirus infections in a pediatric unit: surveillance during four successive winters

The incidence of rotavirus and RSV outbreaks during winter seasons leads to overcrowding of pediatric units in the Paris area, and increases the risk of viral nosocomial infections in hospitalized young infants. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to measure the incidence of rotavirus nosocomial infections in children less than 2 years of age during 4 consecutive winters. METHODS: All infants admitted in the pediatric unit during the winter were prospectively screened for rotavirus with a stools exam. All children with negative stools examination on admission but developing diarrhea after 2 days of hospitalization underwent a new screening test for rotavirus in stools. RESULTS: During the 4 consecutive winters, the global incidence of nosocomial rotavirus infection was 13.9% (12.7 to 15.9%). Asymptomatic carriage of rotavirus was detected in 3% of admitted infants. The risk of nosocomial rotavirus infection increases with young age and the length of hospital stay. CONCLUSION: The incidence of nosocomial rotavirus infections was high in this unit. It is related to overcrowding due to coincidence of diarrhea and bronchiolitis outbreaks in the Paris area and to the young age of hospitalized patients.