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The causative organisms of bacterial meningitis in Korean children, 1986-1995
1Department of Pediatrics, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea. Kaykim@mm.ewha.ac.kr
Abstract:
Bacterial meningitis remains a serious cause of morbidity and mortality in childhood. Epidemiologic investigations have shown variability in disease risks among different populations and races. In Korea, however, basic epidemiologic information on bacterial meningitis in children is limited. The main purpose of this study was to analyze bacteriologically proven meningitis cases in terms of the relative frequency of causative organisms, mortality rate, and age distribution beyond the neonatal period. Data was obtained from the hospital records who had been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis at 13 general or university hospitals from 1986 through 1995. The patients had at least one positive CSF culture for bacteria. Of 140 cases of CSF culture-proven bacterial meningitis, 46.4% was < or =1 year, 62.1% was < or =2 years, 81.4% was < or =5 years cumulatively. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most common bacteria responsible for 48 (35.0%) of all cases regardless of age, followed by Haemophilus influenzae for 48 (34.3%) and Neisseria meningitidis for 8 (6.4%) patients. The case fatality rate was 20.0%, 17.1%, and 16.7% for N. meningitidis, S. pneumoniae, and H. influenzae, respectively. In conclusion, the most common organisms of culture-proven bacterial meningitis in the last 10 years have been S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, and N. meningitidis in order of frequency. Further study should be extended to nation-wide epidemiologic evaluation to show the incidence of bacterial meningitis caused by these three important organisms.
Insights
Bacterial meningitis in Korean children is primarily caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. This study analyzed 140 cases, highlighting the need for broader epidemiologic evaluation of these common childhood infections.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Bacterial meningitis is a significant cause of childhood illness and death.
- Limited epidemiologic data exists for pediatric bacterial meningitis in Korea.
- Disease risk varies across different populations and races.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze bacteriologically confirmed bacterial meningitis cases in Korean children.
- To determine the frequency of causative organisms, mortality rates, and age distribution.
- To provide essential epidemiologic information beyond the neonatal period.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of hospital records from 1986-1995.
- Inclusion criteria: patients diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and positive CSF culture.
- Data collected from 13 general or university hospitals.
Main Results:
- 140 cases of culture-proven bacterial meningitis were identified.
- Streptococcus pneumoniae (35.0%) and Haemophilus influenzae (34.3%) were the most frequent pathogens.
- Age distribution showed 81.4% of cases occurred in children under 5 years old.
- Case fatality rates were 20.0% for Neisseria meningitidis, 17.1% for S. pneumoniae, and 16.7% for H. influenzae.
Conclusions:
- S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, and N. meningitidis are the leading causes of bacterial meningitis in Korean children.
- Further nationwide studies are needed to evaluate the incidence of these pathogens.
- Understanding causative organisms is crucial for public health strategies.