Extraintestinal Manifestations in Children with Viral Diarrhea

Introduction: There is a wide and complex spectrum of extraintestinal clinical manifestations at children with gastroenteritis, most often hiding the severity and intensity of digestive signs.The purpose was to emphasize the main extraintestinal manifestations , to evaluate the presence of some specific signs of the Rotavirus/ Norovirus infection.

Material and method: We evaluated 124 children with viral diarrhea, confirmed by ELISA Ridascreen Rotavirus and Norovirus tests, from October 2014 to January 2016 in the Pediatrics Clinic from Arad. The group included two subgroups: subgroup 1- 93 children with Rotavirus infection ,subgroup 2 – 31 children with Norovirus infection. We have monitored several clinical parameters and we have compared the frequency of the symptoms, to find statistical elements which are suggestive of the etiology. The data was analyzed by Stata v12 statistical analysis program, using the Student t and Z-test.

Results and discussion: Agitation was found in 37.1% of cases, lethargy in 29.8%, seizures in 4%, rhinorrhea in 17.7%, myalgia in 13.7%, chills at 5.6%, cough in 20.2% cases . Compared to group Rotavirus / Norovirus - agitation appeared in 32.3% / 51.6% (p = 0.05), lethargy in 30.1% / 29% (p = 0.90), seizures in 4.3% / 3, 2% (p = 0.79), rhinorrhea in 12.9% / 32.3% (p = 0.01), myalgia in 17.2% / 3.2% (p = 0.05), chills 7, 5% / 0% (p = 0.11), cough in 16.10% / 32.3% (p = 0.05).

Conclusion: The main extraintestinal manifestations in children with viral diarrhea are the changes in behaviour (agitation , lethargy) and cough. Rhinorrhea was found in the Norovirus group rather than the Rotavirus group.

Key words: diarrhea, Rotavirus, Norovirus, extraintestinal manifestations