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Published on: July 24, 2016
Recurrent meningitis in children
Ejaz Ahmed Khan1, Shehla Choudhry, Muhammad Roohullah
1Department of Paediatrics, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad.
Insights
Recurrent meningitis in children can lead to serious complications. This study highlights the clinical features, causes, and outcomes of pediatric recurrent meningitis, emphasizing the need for prompt diagnosis and management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Recurrent meningitis in children is a rare but serious condition.
- It carries a significant risk of acute complications and long-term neurological deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the clinical presentation, predisposing factors, treatment, and outcomes of pediatric recurrent meningitis.
- To identify key characteristics of recurrent meningitis in children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series.
- Inclusion of children with recurrent meningitis admitted between December 2006 and May 2011.
- Analysis of clinical data, diagnostic imaging (CT, MRI), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis.
Main Results:
- Eight children (mean age 6 years, 87% males) were included.
- Average of 4 episodes per patient; common symptoms included fever, vomiting, seizures, and headache.
- Etiology identified via CSF, CT, and MRI; half had a history of head trauma.
- All patients responded to antibiotics; 6 required surgery.
- 25% experienced neurological impairment on follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Recurrent meningitis in children requires thorough etiological investigation.
- Prompt antibiotic treatment is crucial, with surgery indicated in some cases.
- Long-term neurological impairment is a significant concern, necessitating ongoing monitoring.
Abstract:
Recurrent meningitis in children, although rare, results in an increased risk of acute complications and long-term morbidity. We did a retrospective case series to analyze the clinical presentation, predisposing factors, treatment and outcome of children with recurrent meningitis admitted at Shifa International hospital, Islamabad. All children presenting with recurrent meningitis from December 2006 to May 2011 were included in the study. There were a total of 8 children with a mean age of 6 +/- 2.97 years (2-10 years). Majority (87%) were males. There was an average of 4 +/- 4.92 (2-9) episodes of meningitis in each patient. Fever with vomiting was the most common (87%) presenting symptom, followed by seizures (62%) and headache (50%). The underlying etiology was confirmed on CSF analysis, computed tomography scan (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). About half of them had history of head trauma. All responded to antibiotics and six needed surgery. On follow up, 2 (25%) children had some neurological impairment.
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