Neutropenia in Rotaviral Enteritis

Purpose : Rotavirus is one of the most common causes of gastroenteritis among children and infants. Some rotaviral enteritis patients underwent neutropenia and its consequence was not studied enough. The purpose of this study was to know its clinical implication. Methods : The medical record of 407 patients with rotaviral enteritis admitted at Yongin Severance Hospital from 2006 to 2008 were reviewed and analyzed according to neutropenia. Results : Among 407 children, 18 patients (4.4%) showed neutropenia. Neutropenia group were younger than a group without neutropenia (mean age, 1.83±1.4 vs 2.38±1.5 years). The duration of hospital stay, vomiting, diarrhea, total duration of fever and the prevalence of electrolyte imbalance between two groups did not show significant differences. The duration of fever after admission was shorter in neutropenia group than in non-neutropenic patients (0.5±1.0 vs. 1.08±1.3 days, p =0.036). All neutropenia were recovered before discharge. Conclusion : The prevalence of neutropenia in rotaviral enteritis was rare. Neutropenia did not have a significant impact on the clinical course of rotaviral enteritis. Further prospective and multicenter studies are needed in the future.restrictio