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Acute bacterial meningitis in childhood. Incidence and mortality in a defined population
Insights
Bacterial meningitis, including meningococcal infections in children under 10, showed varying risks and case-fatality rates. Pneumococcal meningitis had the highest fatality rate, and diagnosis was missed in 28% of fatal cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology of Bacterial Meningitis
Background:
- Acute bacterial meningitis and meningococcal infections pose significant risks to children.
- Understanding the epidemiology and outcomes of these infections is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively analyze cases of acute bacterial meningitis and meningococcal infection in children under 10.
- To estimate the incidence and case-fatality rates for specific bacterial meningitis types.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case-note review of children under 10 diagnosed between 1969-1973.
- Analysis of data from the North-West Metropolitan region.
Main Results:
- Estimated risk for meningococcal infection: 1 in 1090; for Haemophilus meningitis: 1 in 1500.
- Case-fatality rates: meningococcal (10.9%), Haemophilus meningitis (5.7%), pneumococcal meningitis (16.4%).
- Delayed diagnosis occurred in 28% of fatal meningitis cases.
Conclusions:
- Bacterial meningitis, particularly pneumococcal, presents a high mortality risk in young children.
- Improved diagnostic accuracy is needed, as nearly a third of fatal cases were not diagnosed antemortem.
Abstract:
Cases of acute bacterial (excluding tuberculous) meningitis and meningococcal infection, occurring in children under 10 years of age in the North-West Metropolitan region between 1969 and 1973 have been studied retrospectively by case-note review. The risk of having an acute meningococcal infection was estimated to be 1 in 1090, and that of having an attack of haemophilus meningitis to be 1 in 1500, but the age of 10 years. The case-fatality rates for meningococcal infection, haemophilus meningitis, and pneumococcal meningitis were 10.9%, 5.7%, and 16.4% respectively. Meningitis was not diagnosed in life in 26 of 94 fatal cases (28%).