Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain
05:51

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain

Published on: July 24, 2016

Maternal and perinatal factors associated with subsequent meningococcal, Haemophilus or enteroviral meningitis in

M J Goldacre1, C J Wotton1, J J Maisonneuve1

  • 1Unit of Health-Care Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK.

Epidemiology and Infection
|May 11, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Maternal smoking increases meningococcal meningitis risk, while older siblings are linked to Haemophilus meningitis. Low birth weight and male sex are associated with enteroviral meningitis, highlighting maternal factors in disease risk.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Meningitis remains a significant cause of childhood morbidity.
  • Understanding risk factors for different types of meningitis is crucial for prevention and early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of family, maternal, and perinatal factors on subsequent hospital admission for meningococcal, Haemophilus, and enteroviral meningitis in children.
  • To identify specific risk factors associated with each type of meningitis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a large birth database (248,659 births) from the Oxford record linkage archive (1979-1999).
  • Employed multivariate analysis to assess the significance of various factors.
  • Followed children for subsequent disease development.

Main Results:

  • Maternal smoking showed a significant association with meningococcal meningitis (OR 2.1).
  • Having older siblings was linked to Haemophilus meningitis (OR 3.3 for second-born vs. first-born).
  • Low birth weight (OR 2.2) and male sex (OR 1.7) were associated with enteroviral meningitis. A history of enteroviral meningitis in mothers was also noted.

Conclusions:

  • Several maternal characteristics significantly influence the risk of developing meningococcal, Haemophilus, and enteroviral meningitis.
  • Specific perinatal and family factors are associated with distinct types of meningitis, suggesting targeted preventive strategies may be possible.

More Related Videos

Modeling Ascending Vaginal Infection, Preterm Birth, and Neonatal Morbidity in Mice04:18

Modeling Ascending Vaginal Infection, Preterm Birth, and Neonatal Morbidity in Mice

Published on: October 10, 2025

Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery10:03

Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery

Published on: November 5, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...