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Published on: February 23, 2014
Frequency and Outcome of Meningitis in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Pakistan
Amna Jawaid1, Surriya Bano1, Anwar Ul Haque2
1Department of Emergency Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
Insights
Meningitis in children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) led to significant morbidity and mortality, with most complications occurring early. Pyogenic meningitis was the most common type, requiring extensive support and resulting in neurological sequelae.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Meningitis poses a significant global health challenge, particularly in pediatric intensive care settings.
- It is a major contributor to both morbidity and mortality among children requiring intensive care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency and outcomes of pediatric meningitis cases.
- To analyze the types of meningitis and associated complications in a tertiary care hospital's PICU.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of patients admitted to the PICU between January 2000 and December 2014.
- Data collection included patient demographics, meningitis type, clinical presentation, interventions, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Out of 64 pediatric patients with meningitis, 36 had pyogenic, 18 viral, and 10 tuberculous meningitis.
- Common presentations included altered consciousness (78.1%), seizures (59.4%), and shock (35.9%).
- Mortality was 7.8%, with high rates of neurological sequelae and need for ventilatory (46.9%) and inotropic (40.6%) support.
Conclusions:
- Meningitis, while infrequent, is a critical cause of mortality and morbidity in children within PICU settings.
- Early complications are frequent, highlighting the need for prompt diagnosis and management.
- The study underscores the significant neurological sequelae associated with pediatric meningitis.
Abstract:
Meningitis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide in intensive care settings. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and outcome in children with meningitis through a retrospective chart review done in pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital from January 2000 to December 2014. During these 14 years, 64 patients were admitted with meningitis in pediatric intensive care unit. Out of 64, 36 were diagnosed with pyogenic meningitis, 18 patients with viral meningitis, and 10 with tuberculous meningitis. Most complications were observed in the initial 48 hours. Most common presentation was altered level of consciouness in 50 (78.1%), seizure in 38 (59.4%), and shock in 23 (35.9%) patients. Ventilatory support was required in 30 (46.9%) patients and inotropic support in 26 (40.6%). During stay in pediatric intensive care unit, there was 7.8% mortality. Although meningitis was an infrequent cause of hospitalization at the study centre, but it was an important infectious cause of mortality and morbidity in pediatric age group and associated with high neurological sequelae.
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