Clinical features of acute infantile gastroenteritis associated with human rotavirus subgroups I and II.

During a prospective 3-year study, clinical and epidemiological features of rotavirus gastroenteritis in black infants were investigated. Fever and temperatures exceeding 39 degrees C were more frequent in children shedding subgroup II rotaviruses, whereas vomiting was more pronounced in children with subgroup I infection. Diarrhea, dehydration, duration of illness, and the need for admission to a hospital ward were similar in both groups.