Aetiology

The main agent that causes viral gastroenteritis is rotavirus, a double stranded RNA virus.

• in Europe, it is responsible for more than 50% of hospitalizations for gastroenteritis and about one-third of emergency department visits (1)

Other causes include:

• enteric adenoviruses
• astrovirus
• Norwalk viruses
• small round viruses (1)

Reference:

• (1) Ciccarelli S, Stolfi I, Caramia G. Management strategies in the treatment of neonatal and pediatric gastroenteritis. Infection and Drug Resistance. 2013;6:133-161.