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Published on: November 5, 2019
[Clinical and laboratory aspects of acute bacterial meningitis in infants]
Rita Lucena1, Irenio Gomes, Eduardo Cardoso
1Divisão de Neurologia e Epidemiologia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brasil.
Objective:
to describe clinical and laboratorial characteristics of acute bacterial meningitis in infants.
Method:
data from the prospective follow-up of infants with acute bacterial meningitis, admitted at the Hospital Couto Maia between March and December 1997, were analyzed with specific statistical software.
Results:
acute bacterial meningitis was more prevalent in infants with ages varying from 6 months to 1 year. The most frequent etiologic agent was Haemophilus influenzae. The global lethality was 25.9% and among the survivors 39.3% left the hospital with some abnormality in the neurological exam compatible with the brain involvement.
Conclusion:
acute bacterial meningitis in infants is a high lethality disease that in the majority of cases can be prevented. We consider of great relevance the adoption of health prevention strategies in order to reduce the incidence of this disease.
Insights
Acute bacterial meningitis in infants is a serious condition, often caused by Haemophilus influenzae. Prevention strategies are crucial to reduce the incidence and impact of this high-lethality disease.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurology
Context:
- Acute bacterial meningitis poses a significant threat to infant health.
- Understanding its clinical and laboratorial characteristics is vital for effective management.
Purpose:
- To describe the clinical and laboratorial characteristics of acute bacterial meningitis in infants.
- To identify prevalent etiologic agents and outcomes in affected infants.
Summary:
- A prospective study analyzed infants with acute bacterial meningitis admitted between March and December 1997.
- The disease was most common in infants aged 6 months to 1 year, with Haemophilus influenzae as the primary cause.
- Overall lethality was 25.9%, with 39.3% of survivors exhibiting neurological abnormalities.
Impact:
- Acute bacterial meningitis in infants has a high lethality rate.
- A significant proportion of survivors experience long-term neurological deficits.
- Emphasizes the critical need for implementing health prevention strategies to decrease disease incidence.
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