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[Previous antibiotic treatment in meningococcal infections]
Insights
Meningococcal infections in children were analyzed. Those without prior antibiotics faced higher mortality and more severe symptoms like petechiae, indicating treatment timing is critical for meningococcal disease outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Context:
- A retrospective study of 74 pediatric cases of meningococcal infection.
- Data collected from "Valle del Nalón" Hospital in Asturias between February 1979 and January 1985.
- Analysis of outcomes based on the presence or absence of prior antibiotic treatment.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the impact of pre-hospital antibiotic treatment on the clinical presentation and outcomes of meningococcal infections in children.
- To identify risk factors associated with mortality and severe symptoms.
- To assess the prevalence of hearing impairment in cases of meningitis.
Summary:
- Of 74 children, 7 (9.4%) died, all from the group without prior antibiotics (Group A, 58 cases) versus those with prior antibiotics (Group B, 16 cases).
- Petechiae were significantly more common in Group A (93.1%) than Group B (56.2%).
- Serum group B meningococcus was predominant. In 22 meningitis cases, brainstem auditory evoked response detected hearing impairment in 21.7%.
Impact:
- Highlights the critical role of timely antibiotic intervention in reducing mortality and severity of meningococcal disease.
- Suggests that the absence of petechiae in patients with prior antibiotic treatment may indicate a less severe disease course.
- Underscores the importance of audiological assessment in children with meningococcal meningitis due to the risk of hearing impairment.
Abstract:
Seventy four cases of meningococcal infection were studied. They attended the "Valle del Nalón" Hospital in Asturias, from february 1979 until january 1985. Seven children died (9.4%). We divided them into two groups: A, without any previous antibiotic treatment when they arrived at the hospital (58 cases), and B, with previous antibiotic treatment (16 cases). All the children who died belonged to group A. Only 56.2% from group B had petechias, contrasting greatly with the 93.1% in group A. The most predominant meningococcus was from the serum group B. In the 22 cases of meningitis brainstem auditory evoked response was carried out to detect any hearing impairment. This was found in 21.7% of the cases.