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Published on: February 23, 2014

[Pneumococcal meningitis mortality in children. Prognostic factors in a series of 73 cases]

F Thabet1, S Tilouche, B Tabarki

  • 1Service de pédiatrie, hôpital Farhat-Hached, avenue Ibn-El-Jazzar, 4000 Sousse, Tunisia. thabetfarah@yahoo.fr

Archives De Pediatrie : Organe Officiel De La Societe Francaise De Pediatrie
|December 26, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric Risk of Mortality score and mechanical ventilation are key factors predicting death in children with Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis. Vaccination against pneumococcal meningitis is recommended for children in Tunisia.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Epidemiology

Context:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis poses a significant threat to children, with high mortality rates despite medical advancements.
  • Understanding factors influencing outcomes is crucial for improving patient care and developing effective interventions.

Purpose:

  • To identify predictors of hospital mortality in children diagnosed with pneumococcal meningitis.
  • To analyze the association between clinical variables and mortality in pediatric pneumococcal meningitis cases.

Summary:

  • A retrospective study analyzed 73 cases of childhood pneumococcal meningitis in Tunisia (1995-2002).
  • Hospital mortality was 13.7%, with neurological sequelae in 34.5% of survivors.
  • Multivariable analysis identified high Pediatric Risk of Mortality score and mechanical ventilation as independent predictors of in-hospital death.

Impact:

  • The findings highlight the critical role of the Pediatric Risk of Mortality score and mechanical ventilation in assessing prognosis.
  • Results support the recommendation for including Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccination in Tunisia's national immunization program to reduce disease burden.
Abstract

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