Abstract
Objective Rotavirus is a highly infectious and prevalent ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus that
causes fatal gastroenteritis in children. Despite vitamin D deficiency is associated
with susceptibility to infections, the relationship between ferritin and vitamin B12
levels is not known. This study aimed to investigate and compare the effect of rotavirus
on micronutrient levels, atopy, and the frequency of allergic diseases in children
with rotavirus.
Methods There were rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVG) (N = 92) and non-rotavirus (control) groups (N = 95). Serum micronutrient levels (B12, ferritin, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-OH-D3])
were checked during the first control after gastroenteritis healed. Patients were
also examined for allergic diseases on an average of 17 (14–32) months following rotavirus
infection. Serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), eosinophil count, and percentage were analyzed.
Skin tests and respiratory function tests were also performed on patients with allergic
disease and asthma symptoms.
Results Mean ferritin, B12, and 25-OH-D3 levels were lower in the RVG group compared with
the control group. Allergic diseases in the RVG group were more frequent than in the
control group. The prevalence of the allergic disease in the RVG group was 16.3%,
as opposed to 5.2% in the control group (p = 0.014). The IgE level was significantly higher in the RVG group.
Conclusion Children with rotavirus infection should be followed closely in terms of allergic
diseases and micronutrient deficiency. Furthermore, rotavirus infection should be
prevented in the society and early treatment should be made available via tests detecting
micronutrient deficiency.
Keywords
ferritin - gastroenteritis - sensitivity - rotavirus
