A prospective study of risk factors for neurological complications in childhood bacterial meningitis

Abstract

Objective: To prospectively analyze the prognostic factors for neurological complications of childhood bacterial meningitis. Methods: This prospective study enrolled 77 children from 1 month until 16 years of age, treated for bacterial meningitis during the period of January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010. 16 relevant predictors were chosen to analyze their association with the incidence of neurological complications. p-values 5,000 cells/mm3, pleocytosis > 5,000 cells/mm3 after 48 hours, CSF/blood glucose ratio 48 hours, presence of comorbidity, and primary focus of infection were not associated with increased risk for the development of neurological complications. Conclusion: Age < 12 months and severity of clinical presentation at admission were identified as the strongest predictors of neurological complications and may be of value in selecting patients for more intensive care and treatment.

Keywords

• Bacterial meningitis
• Neurological complications
• Children
• Outcomes