The aim of the study was an analysis of rotavirus diarrhea incidence in children within two age ranges: between 0-4 years and between 5-9 years. Into the analysis there were included children from the city of Kielce and from the Kielce administrative district suffering from diarrhea and admitted to the hospital, in the years 2002-2006.
Methods: The Slidex Rota-Kit 2 tests were performed to confirm the rotavirus etiology of infection.
Results: Throughout the 5 years period there were hospitalized 6980 children coming from whole Swietokrzyskie Province. Infection caused by rotavirus was diagnosed in 2064 (29.6%) children. Infection caused by Salmonella was diagnosed in 405 (5.8%) children. The etiology of diarrhea was not established in 4511 (64.6%) children. Into the next analysis there were included children only from the city of Kielce and from the Kielce administrative district. Infection caused by rotavirus was diagnosed in 1702. 1368 (80.4%) of children with diagnosis of rotavirus diarrhea were in the age group of 0-4 years, 334 (19.6%) of children were in the age group of 5-9 years. The highest incidence of rotavirus infection was observed in children aged 2 years--500 (29.4%). The prevalence of infection was not related to the sex of the patients. There was observed an increase in the rotavirus diarrhea prevalence during from autumn to spring season (Nov.- May) with peak incidence in February (13.6%). The prevalence of diarrhea in the urban area 54.2% was higher than in the rural area in both age groups.