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Impact of the COVID-19 Outbreak on Aseptic Meningitis in Children
Banafsheh Arad1, Hossein Farshad Moghadam2, Mehri Jamshidi3
1Pediatric Nephrologist, Children Growth Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
Objectives:
Viruses are the most common infectious causes of aseptic meningitis (AM). After the COVID-19 pandemic, AM following the COVID-19 disease and its different vaccines were reported. This study compares some characteristics of patients with AM before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Materials & Methods:
This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed patients' demographic and laboratory data (one month to 14 years old) with AM from March 2018 to March 2022. The first period involves two years before the COVID-19 outbreak (March 2018 to March 2020). The second period starts with the COVID-19 pandemic (from March 2020 until March 2022).
Results:
A significant decrease was observed in the frequency of patients admitted with AM after the COVID-19 pandemic in the referral children's hospital in Qazvin. The incidence of AM in children older than five decreased significantly, and as a result, the average age of patients with this diagnosis decreased, too. A meaningful decline in the prevalence of AM in the summer and fall seasons has been observed.
Conclusion:
After the COVID-19 outbreak, the incidence of AM in children significantly decreased. Implementing the hygienic recommendations for inhibiting COVID-19 virus transmission also protected children from the spread of other viruses.
Insights
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly decreased aseptic meningitis (AM) cases in children. Hygienic measures implemented to curb COVID-19 also reduced the spread of other viruses causing AM.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Aseptic meningitis (AM) is commonly caused by viruses.
- The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated vaccines have been linked to reported cases of AM.
- Understanding changes in AM incidence post-pandemic is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the characteristics of pediatric aseptic meningitis cases before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To analyze demographic and laboratory data of children diagnosed with AM.
- To evaluate the impact of the pandemic on AM prevalence.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cross-sectional study of patients aged one month to 14 years.
- Data collected from March 2018 to March 2022, divided into pre-pandemic (March 2018-March 2020) and pandemic (March 2020-March 2022) periods.
- Analysis of demographic and laboratory findings.
Main Results:
- A significant decrease in the frequency and incidence of AM in children was observed post-pandemic.
- The incidence of AM in children over five years old decreased significantly, lowering the average age of diagnosed patients.
- A notable decline in AM prevalence during summer and fall seasons was recorded.
Conclusions:
- The COVID-19 outbreak led to a significant reduction in pediatric aseptic meningitis.
- Public health recommendations for COVID-19 transmission prevention effectively limited the spread of other viruses causing AM.
- Pandemic-related hygiene measures demonstrated a protective effect against common viral infections leading to meningitis in children.
