Burden of rotavirus associated and non-rotavirus-associated diarrhea among nonhospitalized individuals in central Italy: a 1-year sentinel-based epidemiological and virological surveillance

A community sentinel pediatrician-based epidemiological and virological surveillance study was conducted to estimate the incidence of gastroenteritis and laboratory-confirmed rotavirus-associated disease. The 1-year cumulative incidence of gastroenteritis in the cohort of children aged 0-5 years was 21%, with the highest rates in the 7-12-month and 13-18-month age groups (41.1% and 41.7%, respectively). Approximately one-third of gastroenteritis cases requiring an office visit or telephone consultation were attributable to rotavirus infection.