J Korean Pediatr Soc.  1978 Nov;21(11):753-761.

Clinical Study on Tuberculous Meningitis in Infancy and Childhood

• Sul JH
• Kim KC
• Lee KY
• Yun DJ

Abstract

A clinical study was carried out on 575 cases with tuberculous meningitis who were admitted to the department of pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine during the 18 years from January 1959 to December 1976. The following results were obtained. 1.The age incidence was highest in the age of 2 to 5 and 89.1% were under the age of 8 years. Male to female ratio was 1.5:1 2.The seasonal incidence in order of frequency were spring (30.9%), summer (25.9%), autumn(20.8%) and winter (22.4%). 3. 25% out of the 575 cases had the source of infection infamily members. 4. The tuberculous skin test showed positive reaction in 53.5% 5. The common chief complaints in order of frequency were fever, vomiting, convulsion, unconsciousness and headache. 6. At the time of admission, 80% of 575 cases were diagnosed as meningitis. 7. The major neurologic findings were unconsciousness (34.7%) neck stiffness (86.2%) and positive Kernings sign(62.7%) 8. Chest X-Ray showed normal in 11.6% an miliary tuberculous in 13.7% 9. According to the findings of C.S.F., increased pressure, high protein and low sugar level were associated with poor prognosis. But there were no significant differences on mortality in relation with cell count and chloride level. 10.Mortality rate was 17.5%. Highest mortality was noted in young infants.

MeSH Terms

Cell Count
Female
Fever
Headache
Humans
Incidence
Infant
Male
Meningitis
Mortality
Neck
Neurologic Manifestations
Pediatrics
Prognosis
Seasons
Seizures
Skin Tests
Thorax
Tuberculosis, Meningeal*
Unconsciousness
Vomiting