BIRTH WEIGHT AND MORBIDITY AMONGST INFANTS WITH ROTAVIRUS GASTROENTERITIS IN A ROTAVIRUS VACCINE TRIAL IN KASSENA-NANKENA DISTRICT.

ABSTRACT

Background: Rotavirus gastroenteritis in children remains a global public health problem. It is responsible for over 2 million hospitalizations in children less than 5 years. Low birth weight is a known risk factor for several childhood infections and diseases. Over 96% of all low birth weight deliveries occur in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, the relationship between rotavirus gastroenteritis and its burden in terms of morbidity or mortality is unknown.

Objective: to investigate the relationship between the morbidity of rotavirus gastroenteritis and

low birth weight.

Methodology: The primary data from the RotaTeq Trial in the Kassena-Nankana District was used to answer the research question. Some extracted variables relevant to the objective, include: age, birth weight, gender, date of randomization, time to first AGE, Rota virus antigen status and time of exit. Extracted data was scrutinized to ensure integrity and usability. Statistical methods such as proportions and percentages were used for categorical data, mean, standard deviations for continuous data and primary end point was analyzed using Kaplan Meier methods and cox regression. Stata 12 software package was used for the analysis.

Results: Data relating to 834 infants recruited were analyzed, normal birth weight (NBW) 697 and low birth weight (LBW) 137. At baseline the group was balanced for age, gender, immunization status and total duration of follow-up. 6.7% of NBW versus 6.6% of LBWs developed rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE), hazard ratio (HR) 0.99(0.49-2.04), p (0.99). Subgroup analyses among unvaccinated and vaccinated group showed p 0.96 and 0.66 respectively. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) of RVGE in LBWs compared to NBWs was 0.97 (0.48-1.99), p (0.94). The Mean Vesikari score - NBW 8.30 ± 2.98, LBW 9.22 ± 2.95 p (0.40). After adjusting for vaccination status the mean Vesikari scores, p values were not significant.

Conclusion: Birthweight may not be a risk factor for the development of RVGE within the first 2 years of life in the population studied from the rotavirus efficacy trial in Kassena-Nankana District in Navrongo.