Investigation of frequency of rotavirus infection in children between 0-6 years of age and it's impact on lactose intolerance

INVESTIGATION OF FREQUENCY OF ROTAVIRUS INFECTION IN CHILDREN BETWEEN 0-6 YEARS OF AGE AND IT'S IMPACT ON LACTOSE INTOLERANCE KILIÇ, İbrahim Halil, M.S.Thesis Graduate School of Health Sciences Department of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology Supervisor: Assist. Prof. Dr. Tekin KARSLIGİL July 2000, 38 pages ABSTRACT In this study, childhood diarrheas resulted from Rotavirus infection and related lactose intolerance was investigated in children between 0-6 years of age. Rotavirus antigens in fecal samples were searched with Rotavirus Stat- Pack (Chembio Diagnostic Systems) method. In order to determine the lactose intolerance, acidity of feces and blood glucose levels were measured. Among 112 children with diarrhea 29 (25.89%) were positive for Rotavirus infection. There wasn't any difference in positivity between male/female children. In the positive group the pH values of feces were acidic in 82% of cases and their blood glucose levels were lower than normal. The control group consisted of 28 healthy children between 0-6 years of age without any complaints of diarrhea. Rotavirus infection was positive in 10.71% (3/28) of them. In this group the pH values of fecal samples were usually around 7 and their blood glucose levels were in normal ranges. We conclude that diarrhea caused by Rotavirus infection should also be investigated as with other etiological agents in our region and one should be cautious that lactose intolerance may be present along with these diarrheas.