Systematic Review Reveals Human Astrovirus Linked to Pediatric Gastroenteritis Hospitalization in Asia
A recent systematic review published in the Indian Journal of Gastroenterology in April 2026 reveals a significant 2.39% pooled prevalence of Human Astrovirus (HAstV) among children hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis, uncovering a major yet frequently overlooked driver of pediatric morbidity across the Asian continent.
Viral gastroenteritis remains a primary cause of morbidity in children under five within developing nations. While Human Astrovirus (HAstV) is a recognized global pathogen, its specific prevalence and impact among hospitalized pediatric populations in Asia are poorly defined. To address this clinical gap, Bhavna Prajapati and colleagues conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the regional burden of HAstV-associated acute gastroenteritis in children requiring inpatient care.
Therefore, the systematic review and meta-analysis synthesised data from 49 studies identified via PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus published between 2000 and 2023. Using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool for quality assessment, researchers applied Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMM) to determine the pooled prevalence of pediatric Human Astrovirus (HAstV) infections across Asian inpatient settings.
Key Clinical Findings of the Review Include:
Established Regional Prevalence: The analysis identified a pooled prevalence of 2.39% for HAstV among children hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis, confirming its role as a significant viral agent in the region.
Significant Pathogenic Burden: The results highlight a considerable disease burden associated with astrovirus in Asia, indicating that it is a frequent cause of severe illness requiring hospital intervention.
Geographical Prevalence Variance: Subgroup analysis demonstrated that there are considerable differences in infection rates across various Asian countries, suggesting that the virus's impact varies by location.
Robust Continent-Wide Evidence: By synthesizing data from 49 studies across multiple decades, this research provides a definitive and high-quality overview of the virus’s clinical trajectory in Asian pediatric populations.
The results suggest that human astrovirus is a major contributor to pediatric gastroenteritis hospitalizations in Asia, with a confirmed pooled prevalence of 2.39%. This evidence underscores the need for healthcare providers to remain vigilant for HAstV when treating children with severe diarrheal diseases.
The findings of the review suggest that clinicians should consider enhancing diagnostic and surveillance protocols to better detect and manage human astrovirus in pediatric patients.
While the review provides essential data, the observed variations across the region indicate a need for future research into country-specific strategies to optimize surveillance efforts.
Reference
Prajapati, B., Sikenis, M., Singh, A. K., Diwan, V., Mandal, U. K., Singh, S., Katare Pandey, M., Yadav, K., Tiwari, R. R., Mishra, P. K., Yadav, V., & Nema, R. K. (2026). Prevalence of astrovirus-associated gastroenteritis among hospitalized pediatric patients in Asia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Indian Journal of Gastroenterology.
