Comparison of Clinical Features between Gastrointestinal Influenza and Rotavirus Enteritis in Children

Abstract

Objective: To compare the clinical features of gastrointestinal influenza and rotavirus enteritis with fever in children. Methods: Clinical data of children with gastrointestinal influenza and rotavirus enteritis from December 2017 to January 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: 1) There were 102 cases of gastrointestinal influenza and 268 cases of rotavirus enteritis. The mean age of onset of gastrointestinal influenza was 3.9 ± 2.3 years, and the group of rotavirus enteritis was 1.9 ± 1.8 years. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (t = 8.2, P < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in gender composition between the two groups (P > 0.05). 2) All patients had a fever. It is defined as high heat when the thermal peak exceeds 39°C. The high fever incidence of gastrointestinal influenza was 88.2% (90/102), and the group of rotavirus enteritis was 74.6% (200/268). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (X2 = 8.1, P < 0.01). The heat peak of gastrointestinal influenza group was 39.2 ± 0.7°C, while that of rotavirus enteritis group was 38.8 ± 0.6°C. There was significant difference between the two groups (t = 6.1, P < 0.01). 3) All the patients had diarrhea and vomiting of varying degrees. The maximum number of diarrhea per day in the group of rotavirus enteritis was (5.4 ± 2.9) times, which was higher than that in gastrointestinal influenza group (1.3 ± 1.9) times, there was statistical significance between the two groups (t = −16.0, P < 0.01). The maximum number of vomiting per day in rotavirus enteritis group was (2.7 ± 2.7) times, which was higher than that in gastrointestinal influenza group (1.8 ± 1.8) times. There was statistical significance between the two groups (t = −4.1, P < 0.01). 4) The severity was evaluated by Vesikari clinical severity scoring system. Gastrointestinal influenza group scores 5.9 ± 1.6 points and rotavirus enteritis group scores 8.3 ± 2.4 points. There was significant difference between the two groups (t = 11.2, P < 0.01). There was statistical difference in the proportion of light, moderate and severe cases between the two groups (X2 = 86.2, P < 0.01). Conclusion: Gastrointestinal influenza and rotavirus enteritis are intersected in season, the clinical characteristics are similar, but the frequency of heat peak, diarrhea and vomiting, and disease severity is different. Rapid etiological detection is helpful for differential diagnosis.