Finnish paediatric study found a low incidence of bacterial meningitis from 2011 to 2018 but a substantial proportion of nosocomial meningitis
: Niemelä Sakke, Lempinen Laura, Löyttyniemi Eliisa, Grönroos Juha O, Luoto Raakel, Peltola Ville, Jero Jussi
Publisher: WILEY
: 2023
: Acta Paediatrica
: ACTA PAEDIATRICA
: ACTA PAEDIATR
: 9
: 0803-5253
: 1651-2227
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.16991(external)
: https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.16991(external)
: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/181491369(external)
Aim
This study examined the predisposing factors, clinical picture, bacterial aetiology and clinical outcomes of infants and children with bacterial meningitis (BM).
Methods
The medical records of patients under 16 years of age, treated by Turku University Hospital, Finland, from 2011 to 2018, were screened for meningitis using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes. Patients were included if bacteria were detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or other predefined laboratory variables indicated BM, despite CSF testing negative for bacteria. The Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was used to determine outcomes.
Results
We identified 37 children with BM: 22 infants aged 0-89 days and 15 children aged 90 days to 15 years. The overall incidence was approximately 5.7/100 000/year. Nosocomial meningitis was documented in 51%. Bacterial growth was detected in the CSF or blood cultures of the majority of patients (57%). Escherichia coli (14%), group B streptococcus (11%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (8%) were the most common pathogens. There were 14% of patients with unfavourable outcomes, namely GOS scores of 1-4, but no deaths.
Conclusion
The incidence of paediatric BM was low during the study period, but the proportion of nosocomial meningitis was substantial. The frequency of unfavourable long-term outcomes was relatively low.