List of Publications by Department for the Academic Year Risk Factors and Hospitalizations Associated with Pediatric Adenovirus and Rotavirus Infections in Northern Lebanon
Abstract
Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a major contributor to pediatric morbidity and
mortality worldwide. There is a scarcity of data on AGE in North Lebanon, a region
profoundly affected by the Syrian refugee crisis and water sanitation issues. This study
examines the prevalence, risk factors, and seasonal variations in adenovirus and rotavirus
infections in children with AGE in North Lebanon. A cross-sectional study was conducted
from September 2022 to August 2023 on 400 children (1 month to 5 years old) with AGE that
were admitted to pediatric departments of three private hospitals in North Lebanon. Stool
samples were collected and tested using chromatographic immunoassays. Comprehensive demographic and clinical data were collected and analyzed. Rotavirus was the most
frequent viral agent (28%), followed by adenovirus (12.3%) and mixed infections (5.5%).
Rotavirus vaccination demonstrated a significant protective effect, and lower infection
rates were associated with breastfeeding and consumption of bottled water (p < 0.001).
Higher infection rates correlated with lower levels of maternal education and household incomes (p < 0.001). Malnutrition significantly increased susceptibility to rotavirus infections
(p < 0.001). This study emphasized the urgent need for targeted public health interventions in North Lebanon to mitigate the burden of rotavirus and adenovirus-induced acute
gastroenteritis among children.
Journal/Conference Information
Medicina,DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61020296, ISSN: 1010660X, Volume: 61, Issue: 2, Pages Range: 296-300,