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[Prevalence pneumococcal meningitis in Spanish children]
J Casado Flores1, J Aristegui, C Rodrigo De Liria
1Hospital del Niño Jesús, Madrid, Spain. jcasadof@line-pro.es
Insights
Pneumococcal meningitis is highly prevalent in Spanish children under two years old, particularly in the Basque Country. This finding highlights the need for continued vigilance and prevention strategies for pediatric meningitis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Bacterial Meningitis
Context:
- Pneumococcal meningitis (Streptococcus pneumoniae) poses a significant threat to pediatric populations.
- Understanding regional prevalence is crucial for targeted public health interventions.
- Spain, 1998-2000, involved five autonomous communities.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of pneumococcal meningitis in children (0-14 years) across five Spanish autonomous communities.
- To identify age groups and geographical areas with the highest incidence.
- To compare findings with international data.
Summary:
- A retrospective multicenter study identified 107 cases of pneumococcal meningitis in 2,327,079 children.
- The highest prevalence was observed in children under two years old (8.26/100,000), with the Basque Country showing the highest rate (15.52/100,000).
- Prevalence was notably high in the first 12 months of life, especially in the Basque Country (22.76/100,000).
Impact:
- The study reveals a high prevalence of pneumococcal meningitis in Spanish children, particularly in the Basque Country and among those under two years old.
- Findings are comparable to those in other European countries and the USA, underscoring a consistent public health challenge.
- Results inform public health strategies for meningitis prevention and control in pediatric populations.
Objective:
To determine the prevalence of pneumococcal meningitis in the pediatric population in Spain. Material and methods Retrospective multicenter study performed in five autonomous communities (Catalonia, Galicia, Madrid, Navarre and the Basque Country) between January 1998 and December 2000. All patients aged between 0 and 14 years old with a diagnosis of pneumococcal meningitis (Streptococcus pneumoniae isolation or presence of Gram-positive diplococcus in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and CSF with more than 20 cells) in all the hospitals of the five autonomous communities were included in the study. The pediatric population in these communities aged between 0 and 14 years old was 2,327,079.
Results:
We detected 107 cases in 64 boys and 43 girls with a mean age of 1.19 years old (p 25-0.57; p 75-3.34). The incidence was higher in the first 2 years of life [72/107 (67 %)]. The overall annual prevalence in the five autonomous communities in the first 24 months of life was 8.26 per 100,000 children aged under 2 years (95 % CI: 3.45-15.76). The highest number of cases was detected in Catalonia and Madrid but the highest annual prevalence was found in the Basque Country with 15.52 cases per 100,000 children younger than 2 years old (95 % CI: 8.38-24.74). In the first 12 months of life the prevalence was high in all the autonomous communities, especially in the Basque Country with 22.76 cases per 100,000 newborn infants aged under 12 months (95 % CI 14.58-34.5). In the first 5 years of life the annual global adjusted prevalence per 100,000 children was as follows: Catalonia 3.21 (95 % CI: 1.31-5.11), Galicia 2.65 (95 % CI: 0.35-5.64), Madrid 3.49 (95 % CI: 1.36-5.61), Navarre 3.36 (95 % CI 5,08-11,81), the Basque Country 5.63 (95 % CI: 1.08-10.18).
Conclusion:
The prevalence of pneumococcal meningitis in children from different autonomous communities is high and is greatest in the Basque Country and in children aged under 2 years. This prevalence is similar to that of other European countries and the USA.