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Childhood bacterial meningitis in Riyadh

A Abanamy1, M Shuja, M Khaleel

  • 1Sulemania Children's Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Annals of Saudi Medicine
|November 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

This study on bacterial meningitis in children found Hemophilus influenzae type b as the leading cause. A low mortality rate of 2.8% was observed, with some antibiotic resistance noted.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Bacterial meningitis remains a significant cause of childhood morbidity and mortality globally.
  • Understanding the etiological agents and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns is crucial for effective treatment and prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the common bacterial pathogens causing meningitis in children admitted to Sulemania Children's Hospital, Riyadh.
  • To determine the antimicrobial resistance patterns of these pathogens.
  • To analyze the clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes of childhood bacterial meningitis.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective review of 106 patients with culture-positive bacterial meningitis admitted between February 1985 and July 1990.
  • Identification of causative organisms through laboratory culture and sensitivity testing.
  • Analysis of patient demographics, clinical findings, antibiotic pretreatment, and mortality rates.

Main Results:

  • The most common pathogens in children older than 1 month were Hemophilus influenzae type b (61 cases), Streptococcus pneumoniae (19 cases), and Neisseria meningitidis (14 cases).
  • In neonates, Group B beta-hemolytic Streptococcus (4 cases) was the most frequent cause.
  • A 4.9% resistance rate to both ampicillin and chloramphenicol was observed in Hemophilus influenzae isolates.
  • The overall mortality rate was 2.8%.

Conclusions:

  • Hemophilus influenzae type b is the predominant cause of bacterial meningitis in children over one month in this region.
  • The emergence of antibiotic resistance, particularly in Hemophilus influenzae, necessitates careful antibiotic selection.
  • The low mortality rate suggests effective management, but ongoing surveillance of pathogens and resistance is vital.

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