Journal article
Changes in the epidemiology of gastroenteritis in a paediatric short stay unit following the introduction of rotavirus immunisation
JD Akikusa, SM Hopper, JJ Kelly, CD Kirkwood, JP Buttery
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health | WILEY-BLACKWELL | Published : 2013
DOI: 10.1111/jpc.12098
Abstract
Aim Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) has been a significant component of the clinical load in the short stay unit (SSU) at the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) since its establishment in 2004. Since the introduction of routine rotavirus immunisation in Australia in 2007 there has been a clinical impression of a substantial reduction in AGE managed in the SSU. This study aimed to examine changes in the epidemiology of AGE in the SSU, and RCH overall, between 2005 and 2009 and explore whether this reflects a change specifically in AGE due to rotavirus. Methods Discharge coding data for AGE from all inpatient wards, the SSU and emergency department (ED) at the RCH were examined. Stool virology result..
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Funding Acknowledgements
The Murdoch Childrens Research Institute (MCRI) receives payments into an educational fund for JPB who also serves on data safety monitoring committees and as an investigator for investigator initiated safety studies from CSL Vaccines (Australian distributor of Rotateq). MCRI holds a patent for a candidate investigational rotavirus vaccine, RV3-BB: for which JPB is an investigator but holds no financial interest.