Objective: Infective acute gastroenteritis is generally seen in children under five years of age and is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. In this study, we retrospectively examined the results of the samples that were referred to our laboratory for the detection of rotavirus (RoV) and adenovirus (AdV) antigens between 2018 and 2023. We aimed to examine the effect of the pandemic measures taken and the patients’ residence areas on the incidence of rotavirus and adenovirus infections.

Methods: A total of 3318 sample results from 3009 pediatric patients aged between 0–18 years, and admitted within January 2018 and December 2023, were included in the study. In terms of age, patients were divided into five groups. They were also divided into groups according to the provinces of residence, as Ankara or other provinces, and further as Ankara centrum and other counties. In order to observe the effect of pandemic measures on RoV incidence, the period between 1 January 2018 and 10 March 2020 was grouped as Pre- Pandemic (PPP), 11 March 2020 and 31 May 2021 as Pandemic (PP), and 1 June 2021 and 31 December 2023 as Late Pandemic (LPP).

Results: RoV antigen positivity was most frequent in 13-24 months, 24.23% (n=714) and 2-4 years, 24.85% (n=821) and was more common among the girls (23.09%; n=1360) than boys (18.08%; n=1958). It was also observed that pandemic measures caused a decrease in RoV cases (PPP: %20.89, n=876; PP: %11.04, n=299). RoV positivity was mostly detected in 2022 (25.98%).

Conclusion: While RoV is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in children,there are many factors that affect its incidence. However, being able to diagnose these cases quickly and accurately will both prevent unnecessary drug use and ensure that patients are given the correct treatment.