Purpose : Rotavirus is one of the most important etiologic agents of nosocomial infections
among the neonates. This study was designed to investigate nosocomial rotavirus infection
in neonates who were admitted to a postpartum-care center after birth.
Methods : From March 2005 to September 2006, 957 healthy neonates were examined for
rotavirus antigen in stool by immunochromatographic method and 216 neonates were rotavirus
antigen positive within 24 hours after admitted to a postpartum-care center. We reviewed
the nursing charts retrospectively such as characteristics, monthly distribution, birth
hospitals, delivery methods, feeding types and clinical manifestations.
Results : Among 957 neonates, 216 neonates (22.6%) were rotavirus antigen positive and
there were no differences in sex, birth weight, gestational age. Monthly positive rate of
rotavirus antigen showed diversity from 10% to 36%. According to birth hospitals, positive
rate showed diversity from 3.5% to 53.6%. Out of 957 neonates, 655 cases (68.4%) were
born of vaginal delivery and mean hospitalized duration was 2.4 days, 302 cases (31.6%)
were born of cesarean section and mean hospitalized duration was 5.7 days. 17.6% of vaginal
delivery and 33.4% of cesarean section were rotavirus antigen positive. The positive
rate was higher in neonates by cesarean section than vaginal delivery (P<0.001). According
to feeding types, positive rate of rotavirus antigen was lower in breast-fed group than formula-
fed group (P<0.001). Proportion of symptomatic case among rotavirus antigen positive
was 34.7%. Most common clinical manifestation was diarrhea (61.3%), following poor
feeding (45.3%), fever (40.0%), vomiting (25.3%), delayed weight gain (12.0%), and decreased
urine amount (5.3%).
Conclus ion : Some neonates were already infected before admission to a postpartum-care
center. Without meticulous management, nosocomial rotavirus infection would transmit rapidly
in a postpartum-care center spreading to the community. Recommendation of breastfeeding,
routine rotavirus screeing test with or without symptom, and isolation of all rotavirus
antigen positive neonates in a postpartum-care center seem to be necessary. Also
attentive hygiene education and further investigations of rotavirus infection in a postpartum-
care center would be needed. (Korean J Pediatr Infect Dis 2007;14:145-154)
Purpose : Rotavirus is one of the most important etiologic agents of nosocomial infections
among the neonates. This study was designed to investigate nosocomial rotavirus infection
in neonates who were admitted to a postpartum-care center after birth.
Methods : From March 2005 to September 2006, 957 healthy neonates were examined for
rotavirus antigen in stool by immunochromatographic method and 216 neonates were rotavirus
antigen positive within 24 hours after admitted to a postpartum-care center. We reviewed
the nursing charts retrospectively such as characteristics, monthly distribution, birth
hospitals, delivery methods, feeding types and clinical manifestations.
Results : Among 957 neonates, 216 neonates (22.6%) were rotavirus antigen positive and
there were no differences in sex, birth weight, gestational age. Monthly positive rate of
rotavirus antigen showed diversity from 10% to 36%. According to birth hospitals, positive
rate showed diversity from 3.5% to 53.6%. Out of 957 neonates, 655 cases (68.4%) were
born of vaginal delivery and mean hospitalized duration was 2.4 days, 302 cases (31.6%)
were born of cesarean section and mean hospitalized duration was 5.7 days. 17.6% of vaginal
delivery and 33.4% of cesarean section were rotavirus antigen positive. The positive
rate was higher in neonates by cesarean section than vaginal delivery (P<0.001). According
to feeding types, positive rate of rotavirus antigen was lower in breast-fed group than formula-
fed group (P<0.001). Proportion of symptomatic case among rotavirus antigen positive
was 34.7%. Most common clinical manifestation was diarrhea (61.3%), following poor
feeding (45.3%), fever (40.0%), vomiting (25.3%), delayed weight gain (12.0%), and decreased
urine amount (5.3%).
Conclus ion : Some neonates were already infected before admission to a postpartum-care
center. Without meticulous management, nosocomial rotavirus infection would transmit rapidly
in a postpartum-care center spreading to the community. Recommendation of breastfeeding,
routine rotavirus screeing test with or without symptom, and isolation of all rotavirus
antigen positive neonates in a postpartum-care center seem to be necessary. Also
attentive hygiene education and further investigations of rotavirus infection in a postpartum-
care center would be needed. (Korean J Pediatr Infect Dis 2007;14:145-154)