Korean J Pediatr Infect Dis.  2006 Nov;13(2):124-129. 10.14776/kjpid.2006.13.2.124.

The Causative Organisms of Pediatric Bacterial Meningitis: A Single Center Experience from 1996 to 2005

• Lee TJ
• Chun JK
• Kim DS

• KMID: 2439979
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14776/kjpid.2006.13.2.124

Abstract

PURPOSE
We investigated the causative organisms of bacterial meningitis by age distribution from 1996 to 2005.
METHODS
Retrospective data were obtained from the medical records with diagnosis of bacterial meningitis or neonatal meningitis from 1996 through 2005. A case was defined by isolation of organism or detection of its antigen by latex agglutination from cerebrospinal fluid.
RESULTS
A total of 46 cases(27 neonates and 19 children) were identified. 15 of 27 episodes(55.6%) of neonatal meningitis had a concomitant-positive blood culture. Group B streptococci were the most common bacterial causes of neonatal meningitis(44.4%). Nine of 12 episodes(75.0%) were late-onset infections in neonatal meningitis caused by group B streptococci. 16 of 19 children(84.2%) with bacterial meningitis beyond the neonatal period were younger than 5 years of age(median age, 23 months). Of 19 cases, 8 infections were with Streptococcus pneumoniae, 8 were with Haemophilus influenzae and 3 were with Neisseria meningitidis. Since 2001 there was no case of meningococcal meningitis in this study.
CONCLUSION
In neonates group B streptococci are the most common causative organisms of bacterial meningitis, especially late-onset infections. In infants and young children, the predominant causes of bacterial meningitis are H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae; meningitis caused by the former are likely to decrease after the introduction of the conjugate vaccine for H. influenzae type b.

Keyword

Bacterial meningitis; neonatal meningitis; Haemophilus influenzae; group B streptococci; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Neisseria meningitidis

MeSH Terms

Age Distribution
Agglutination
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Child
Diagnosis
Haemophilus influenzae
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Influenza, Human
Latex
Medical Records
Meningitis
Meningitis, Bacterial*
Meningitis, Meningococcal
Neisseria meningitidis
Pneumonia
Retrospective Studies
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Latex