Objectives:

To analyze the correlation of risk factors with mortality and short-term morbidity in bacterial meningitis among children aged 1 month to 12 years admitted in an urban referral center.

Design:

Nested case controls study. Setting: Institute of Child Health & Hospital for Children.

Methods:

The case records of children aged 1 month - 12 years admitted during the 2 year period of Jan 2002 - Dec 2003 were taken up for analysis. They were divided into cases and controls. Cases were proven bacterial meningitis with sequelae or had died. Controls were proven bacterial meningitis who had recovered without sequelae. Various risk factors were considered.

Statistical analysis:

They were analyzed by subjecting them to univariate analysis and the risk factors which were significant in the same was subjected to multivariate analysis by logistic regression and the adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were arrived.

Results:

We have found fever of more than 1 week duration before diagnosis [OR3.5 (95% CI:1.11-11.32)] CSF protein more than 500 mg/dL [OR19 (95% CI:2.91-127.55)] and admission to ICU [OR5.8 (95% CI:1.67-20.69)] to be the most significant risk factors independently contributing to mortality and immediate sequelae.

Conclusion:

The presence of the above three factors in children with bacterial meningitis portends a poor outcome stressing the need for aggressive treatment strategy in these subset of children.

Key words:

Bacterial meningitis, Outcome, Risk factors.

Ooty Pedicon 2005 - Conference Abstracts.Pediatric Oncall [serial online] 2005 [cited 01 December 2005];2. Available from:
http://www.pediatriconcall.com/fordoctor/Conference_abstracts/
bacteria_meningitis.asp