Rotavirus gastroenteritis among hospitalized children under 5 years of age in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: a review.

Background: Rotavirus(RV) is one of the primary causes globally of acute diarrhoea in children below 5 years of age.

Aims: This literature research aims to evaluate the rotavirus diarrhoea among hospitalized children < 5 years of age in the Eastern Mediterranean Region from 2010 to 2016. Data from each country were extracted and compared.

Methods: An extensive literature search was carried out using the following databases: PubMed, Google Scholar and Science Direct, with the keyword "Rotavirus". The search was limited to articles published from January 2010 to December 2016.

Results: The search identified 28 studies. Rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) identification in studies countries ranged from from 19%-78.2% of all tested diarrhoeal specimens, primarily in children ≤ 1 year of age. RV occurred throughout the year, with peak incidence during autumn and winter seasons. G1P[8] was the predominant circulating genotype combination followed by G9P[8] and G2P[4]. Out of 28 studies, only one examined the economic burden which ranged from US$ 245 to $345 per hospitalized child due to RV diarrhoea. Moreover, three days were the minimum duration of hospitalization. No available data on the mortality rates due to RVGE among the selected studies.

Conclusions: This research documents that RV is one of the most significant pathogens that cause morbidity and mortality in the paediatric population in Eastern Mediterranean Region countries. The data from this literature research may help public healthcare workers in decreasing mortality and morbidity resulting from RVGE in the region.