Paediatric gastroenteritis disease characteristics, management and seasonal variation in one region of Ireland: prospective study.

Background: Acute gastroenteritis (GE) is a clinical syndrome and harbours a significant global burden. Nosocomial acquisition of gastroenteritis results in a significant economic burden. We aim to determine gastroenteritis frequency, disease severity, nosocomial acquisition and clinical spectrum in our region for 2016-2017.

Methods: This is a prospective study of all children up to 3 years of age who presented to Mayo University Hospital with vomiting and diarrhoea, from 18 November 2016 to 18 November 2017. All children had their clinical severity of gastroenteritis assessed using the internationally recognised Vesikari scoring system.

Results: A total of 159 cases were detected, 157 were studied, 87 were male (55%) and 90 were severe (57%). Nosocomial gastroenteritis is rare (2 cases) (1.1%); 129 cases were admitted and the majority of paediatric gastroenteritis cases (68%) stayed between 1 and 2 days. Diarrhoea was noted in all cases, vomiting in 130 cases (82%), fever in 136 cases (86%) and dehydration in 89 cases (56%). Oral rehydration therapy was successful in 33 cases (21%). The fourth week of June was the peak week of the year for gastroenteritis (7 cases). The largest number of presentations with GE was noted in May (20 cases), followed by December and June (18 cases each) with the largest number of severe GE noted in June (12 cases), followed by December and May (11 cases each).

Conclusion: Diarrhoea is the most predominant feature of gastroenteritis. Acute viral gastroenteritis occurs throughout the year. Seasonal variations of gastroenteritis were noted throughout the year. Nosocomial infection is rare.