Abstract: Objective Investigate the characteristics of rotavirus infection in hospitalized newborns in Liangshan area from 2022 to 2023, Based on data analysis, develop prevention and control measures to provide scientific basis. Method This study is a multi-center survey, selecting 6 county-level hospitals in Liangshan area (Xichang People's Hospital, Liangshan Prefecture Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Xichang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Liangshan Zhaojue County Hospital, Xichang Mianning County Hospital, and Liangshan Yuexi County Hospital). 2918 stool samples were collected from newborns aged <28 days in the neonatal ward from January 2022 to December 2023, including 1393 in 2022 (65 diarrhea samples and 1328 non-diarrhea samples), and 1525 in 2023 (diarrhea samples). 77 samples and 1448 non-diarrhoeal samples), the samples were tested for rotavirus and the infection characteristics were analyzed. Result Among 2918 newborn stool samples, a total of 82 samples were positive for rotavirus, with a positive rate of 2.81%. The positive rate of rotavirus among newborns with diarrhea was 34.51% (49/142). The positive rate of rotavirus in neonates without diarrhea was 1.19% (33/2776), and the positive rate between the two was significantly different (P<0.05); the positive rate of rotavirus in neonates with vomiting was 34.75% (49/141), and the positive rate of rotavirus in neonates with non-diarrhoea was 34.75% (49/141). The positive rate of rotavirus in neonates with vomiting was 1.19% (33/2777), and the difference between the positive rates was significant (P<0.05); the positive rate of rotavirus in neonates with fever was 35.00% (49/140), and the positive rate of rotavirus in neonates with fever was 35.00% (49/140). The positive rate of rotavirus in newborns was 1.19% (33/2778), and there was a significant difference between the two positive rates (P<0.05). Neonatal rotavirus infection can occur throughout the year, with the positive rate from July to September being <1.5%, and the positive rate from December to February being higher, both >4.5%. There is an obvious seasonal peak of rotavirus infection in neonates in both groups, with a higher detection rate from December to February of the following year; whether there is diarrhea, gestational age, birth weight, feeding method, and NICU admission status all affected the rotavirus infection rate (P<0.05); newborn gender, mode of delivery and age did not affect the rotavirus infection rate (P>0.05); 25.00% of children with rotavirus infection developed diarrhea symptoms. Conclusion Rotavirus infection is an important cause of neonatal diarrhea. The peak of rotavirus infection is concentrated from December to February of the following year. The infection rates of neonates of different ages are significantly different. Interventions in diarrhea, gestational age, feeding methods, and NICU are needed. Based on high-risk factors such as the occupancy status and the epidemiological characteristics of rotavirus, laboratory examinations of rotavirus suspected infected neonates were completed immediately after admission.

Key words: Newborns, Rotavirus, Infection characteristics, Diarrhea, Positive rate