Etiology of community-acquired pediatric viral diarrhea: a prospective longitudinal study in hospitals, emergency departments, pediatric practices and child care centers during the winter rotavirus outbreak, 1997 to 1998

OBJECTIVE: To determine the viral etiology of community-acquired diarrhea in children admitted to hospitals and presenting in emergency departments, pediatric practices and child care centers from November 1, 1997, to June 30, 1998. STUDY DESIGN: Children with diarrhea were identified in a prospective multisite cohort study and analyzed according to age, gender and duration of hospitalization. Stools were tested for rotavirus by enzyme …