Nutritional Status Assessment and its Association with Rotavirus Positivity Among Children Aged Under 5 Years Hospitalized with Diarrhea in Odisha, India.

Objectives: Diarrhea and malnutrition contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality in children aged under 5 y. Rotavirus infection is the leading cause of diarrhea-associated death in children, and malnutrition can aggravate diarrhea severity. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status and its association with rotavirus positivity among children aged under 5 y hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis in Odisha.

Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted between January and December 2023 among children aged under 5 y hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis in tertiary care hospitals in Odisha. Data were collected on children's sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and nutritional status, and stool samples were tested for rotavirus. Nutritional status (underweight, stunting, and wasting) was assessed following World Health Organization anthropometry guidelines.

Results: Of the 365 children enrolled, 68.5% were aged 0-23 mo, 33.7% were underweight, 49% had stunting, and 20% had wasting. Rotavirus was detected in 23.3% of the stool samples tested. Nutritional status was not significantly associated with rotavirus positivity. Stunting was more prevalent among children aged 24-59 mo, whereas underweight and wasting were more prevalent among children aged 0-23 mo. Stunting was more prevalent among boys than among girls.

Conclusions: Malnutrition remains prevalent among children hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis in Odisha. However, nutritional status was not associated with rotavirus positivity. The results imply that, to improve child health outcomes, integrated strategies that address both malnutrition and rotavirus infection, focusing on nutrition, vaccination, and improved sanitation, are required.