Rotavirus: impact on your child's development

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Children aged 6 months to 2 years are the group most at risk of rotavirus infection.
• Children infected with rotavirus will have repeated episodes of diarrhea.
• Parents can have their child receive oral rotavirus vaccine drops; this is the best way to prevent the disease.

Rotavirus: its impact on your child’s development

• How dangerous is rotavirus for young children?
• How is rotavirus transmitted?

Children infected with rotavirus who have repeated episodes of diarrhea between the ages of 1–2 years may experience various physical impacts, such as being up to 8.2 centimeters shorter than other children.

"Thailand is one of the countries where many first-time parents still lack knowledge and awareness about rotavirus and the severity of the disease. They think it is simply diarrhea that people in hot climates already have to deal with, which leads to a lack of preparation and an inability to protect their children properly—especially children aged 6 months to 2 years, who are the group at highest risk of rotavirus infection. Studies have found that almost all children from birth to 5 years old have been infected with this virus, and as many as 1 in 10 may have repeat infections up to 5 times."

Survey results found that among Thai children under 5 years old who are hospitalized for diarrhea, as many as 43% are due to rotavirus. Rotavirus is a major cause of severe diarrhea in young children and can be life-threatening.It can also undermine development and may cause a child not to grow appropriately for their age.“Because it is a pathogen that can lurk in every nook and cranny around a child—especially on toys—and is easily transmitted, no matter what prevention method is used, it is impossible to withstand its virulence. Every young child is considered at risk; any child can become infected.”

“Symptoms in children infected with rotavirus include severe watery diarrhea and vomiting, leading to dehydration and an inability to eat. If it recurs repeatedly, it may cause deficiencies of nutrients essential for growth, greatly harming a child’s development to the point that development can stall. The first five years of life are the key developmental years, when both brain potential and physical capacity are rapidly maturing. Therefore, whenever a child has frequent diarrhea, it inevitably affects development—whether learning and intelligence, as well as physical growth such as future height or weight.”

Research studies have found that children infected with rotavirus who have recurrent diarrhea between ages 1–2 may experience impacts in various areas, such as being up to 8.2 centimeters shorter than typical children before age 7, or having slower learning readiness during school age. Moreover, children with recurrent diarrhea before age 2 may have brain development or IQ up to 10 points lower than peers of the same age.

In addition, research has also found that diarrhea affects malnutrition, resulting in some children gaining less weight than normal.”

To protect your child and keep them as far away from rotavirus as possible, how should you care for them?

“Parents can bring their baby to receive the oral rotavirus vaccine, which is currently considered the best way to prevent the disease. This helps prevent and reduce the severity of the illness. The sooner parents can provide protection, the sooner it helps strengthen a child’s defenses and keep them away from this serious disease.

There are 2 types of rotavirus vaccines.

They are: the human-strain vaccine, given orally in 2 doses—administered when the child is 6 weeks old or older and at 4 months (2 and 4 months)—which provides protection as early as 4 months,” and it can cover a fairly wide range of strains; and the bovine-strain vaccine, given orally in 3 doses. The 3-dose vaccine is given up to 6 months (2, 4, 6 months), providing protection after 6 months… In addition, there is a simple method mothers can do themselves: breastfeed for at least 6 months so the child also develops good immunity.”

Source: Dr. Hathaitip Chaiprapha