Hwa-Gan H. Chang, PhD¹, Perry F. Smith, MD¹, Dale L. Morse, MD, MS², and Roger Glass, MD, PhD³. (1) Division of Epidemiology, New York State Department of Health, Rm 1143 Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237, (518)402-5012, hgc04@health.state.ny.us, (2) Office of Science and Public Health, New York State Department of Health, Corning Tower building, Albany, NY 12237, (3) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30333

Objectives. To describe the characteristics and identify risk factors of children who acquired rotavirus infection nosocomially in New York State. Methods. Hospital medical records were requested and reviewed for children who were less than 5 years of age and diagnosed with rotavirus in 1997. A rotavirus diagnosis was defined with a positive rotavirus test result and a nosocomial infection was defined if the duration between the admission date and rotavirus test result date was greater or equal to 3 days, without diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration symptoms at admission. Demographic information, risk factors, hospital disposition, hospital length of stay, and hospital cost were studied for children who acquired rotavirus nosocomially. Results. Of the 1102 medical charts requested, 960 were received, and 921 (94%) had a documented positive rotavirus test. Forty one (4.5%) children acquired rotavirus nosocomially. Their median age was 8 months, 71% of them were white, 22% were premature, 51% received IV fluid treatment, and 78% received antibiotics, the median hospital length of stay was 10 days, median hospital cost was $17500, and the hospital fatality rate was 2%. These children were more likely to have congenital malformations, seizures, receive IV fluids and antibiotics, as compared with children community acquired rotavirus. Nosocomial rotavirus infections occurred in 14(17%) hospitals that admitted rotavirus infected children; the proportion of all rotavirus infections that were nosocomial ranged from 2% to 57%. Conclusion. Nosocomial rotavirus infections among children show a significant economic impact and selected hospitals have a high proportion of nosocomial rotavirus infection, suggesting that education and hygienic measures must be emphasized in hospitals for young children.

Learning Objectives:

• To describe the characteristics and identify risk factors of children who acquired rotavirus infection nosocomially in New York State.

Keywords: Rotavirus, Children

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.