Systemic Manifestation of Rotavirus Infection in Children: A Report of Three Cases

Rotavirus is a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in children. Although the clinical complaints associated with rotavirus are generally gastrointestinal, including vomiting and diarrhea, data suggest that it can also cause symptoms that extend beyond the gastrointestinal tract. We report three pediatric cases of rotavirus infection: one accompanied by encephalopathy and two with elevated hepatic transaminase activity. The patients were admitted to Dr. Sami Ulus maternity and children’s health and diseases training and research hospital, Ankara, Turkey, from 2012 - 2014. The presented patients’ aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (1765-2614 IU L-1) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (1448-3558 IU L-1) levels are, to date, the highest reported levels associated with rotavirus infections, and suggest that the rotavirus can cause severe hepatic transaminase elevation. This report aimed to increase awareness of the occurrence of extra-intestinal systemic manifestations of rotavirus infection. Although such cases may be rare, they still suggest that that rotavirus is a systemic viral infection.