Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2010;30(1):45-50.
doi: 10.1179/146532810X12637745451997.

Detection of coronaviruses in children with acute gastroenteritis in Maddina, Saudi Arabia

A M Kheyami  1 , T Nakagomi, O Nakagomi, B Getty, C A Hart, N A Cunliffe
Affiliations

Detection of coronaviruses in children with acute gastroenteritis in Maddina, Saudi Arabia

A M Kheyami et al. Ann Trop Paediatr. 2010.

Abstract

Background: The role of coronaviruses in paediatric gastro-enteritis is not well defined. We investigated the detection rate and epidemiological features of infection with coronavirus in children receiving hospital care for acute gastro-enteritis in Maddina, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: Stool specimens were collected from children less than 5 years of age who were either hospitalised in Maddina or given oral rehydration therapy as outpatients between April 2004 and April 2005. Coronaviruses were detected by electron microscopy.

Results: Coronaviruses were detected in 63 (6%) of 984 children with acute gastro-enteritis and were more commonly detected in outpatients (47/423, 11%) than in inpatients (16/561, 3%). The median age (range) of children with coronavirus infection was 42 months (10-60). Coronaviruses were detected throughout the year with the highest detection rate at the end of the winter season.

Conclusions: Coronaviruses were commonly identified in children with diarrhoea in Saudi Arabia. Their role in paediatric gastro-enteritis warrants further evaluation.

PubMed Disclaimer

LinkOut - more resources