Prevalence of astrovirus-associated gastroenteritis among hospitalized pediatric patients in Asia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Bhavna Prajapati, Mudra Sikenis, Ashutosh Kumar Singh et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis estimated the prevalence of human astrovirus (HAstV)-associated acute gastroenteritis among hospitalized children in Asia. It included 49 studies published between January 2000 and December 2023, with pooled prevalence calculated using generalized linear mixed models. HAstV was detected in 2.39% of hospitalized pediatric patients with acute gastroenteritis. Subgroup analyses found considerable variation in prevalence among Asian countries, indicating that the pooled estimate does not represent a uniform regional burden.
Key findings
- Across 49 studies, pooled HAstV prevalence among hospitalized children with acute gastroenteritis was 2.39%.
- Subgroup analysis showed considerable differences in HAstV prevalence among Asian countries.
Why it matters
The pooled estimate indicates that HAstV accounts for a measurable share of acute gastroenteritis among hospitalized children in Asia. Country-level variation suggests that regional averages may obscure local patterns, relevant to interpreting surveillance data and understanding the contribution of astrovirus to pediatric gastroenteritis.
What to keep in mind
The estimate combines studies from multiple countries with considerable between-country variation; the abstract does not provide country-specific estimates or further detail on study heterogeneity.