Korean J Pediatr.
2004 Nov;47(11):1181-1185.
Epidemiologic Study of Aseptic Meningitis in Daejeon, Korea(1987 through 2003)
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Pediatric, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. leekyungyil@catholic.ac.kr
Abstract
- PURPOSE
To evaluate the epidemiologic characteristics of aseptic meningitis in Daejeon, Korea from 1987 to 2003.
METHODS
A total of 2201 medical records of children with aseptic meningitis admitted to the Catholic University of Korea, Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, was retrospectively analyzed.
RESULTS
The mean annual number of cases was 129, with a higher rate of occurrence in the summer season(May to August, 74.1%). Outbreaks of aseptic meningitis were noted in the years 1990, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2001, and 2002. The age distribution was relatively even, with higher incidences in the 4-7 years group and in the under one year old group. The male-to-female ratio was 2 : 1. Comparing the epidemics of 1997 and 2002, there were no marked differences in age distribution, except in the less than 1 year old age group(11.8% vs. 4.4%), nor in the monthly incidence. Neurologic complications were found in 0.7% of the patients.
CONCLUSION
Outbreaks of aseptic meningitis occurred every one to three years in Daejeon, reflecting typical nationwide epidemics that occurred from 1987 to 2003. The incidence of disease in the less than 1 year age group during each epidemic may reflect the herd immunity of the maternal generation.
