Objective  To summarize the clinical characteristics and treatment of rotavirus infection after liver transplantation in children.

  Methods  Thirty nine children undergoing liver transplantation in Beijing Friendship Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University from October to December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. And 6 cases were infected with rotavirus after liver transplantation. Characteristics of clinical symptoms, complications, treatments and prognosis in these six children were retrospectively analyzed.

  Results  Six cases were diagnosed with rotavirus infection at 8-197 d after liver transplantation with a median time of 22 d, 3 cases of whom mainly manifested as high fever, diarrhea and vomiting and the remaining 3 presenting with diarrhea. The longer interval time between rotavirus infection and liver transplantation was, the slighter degree of rotavirus infection-related symptoms was. Among 6 cases, 5 cases were complicated with EB virus, cytomegalovirus or respiratory syncytial virus, and 2 cases were complicated with abnormal liver or heart function. The main treatment was decreasing the dose of FK506. Gamma globulin was administered in partial affected children to enhance immunity. Effective therapy was delivered to regulate intestinal tract bacterial colony and relieve diarrhea. All children recovered after oral use of antibiotics and supporting therapy using fluid infusion. Two cases complicated with severe cardiac and liver function abnormality were healed after expectant treatment.

  Conclusions  Rotavirus infection-related symptoms are relatively severe after liver transplantation in children, occasionally complicated with cardiac and liver function injury, which can gradually return to normal after efficacious therapy.