ISSN: 2572-0775
San-Thanda, Thi Tar, Kyin-Hlaing and Win-Myint-OO
Background: Acute Bacterial Meningitis (ABM) is one of the most severe infectious diseases in childhood. The global burden of the disease is high. Various factors that determine the outcome of the diseases are age, early diagnosis, early treatment, duration of treatment and type of microorganism. This study aimed to describe clinical and bacteriological profile of ABM and to correlate the WHO prognostic scoring scale and outcome of children with ABM.
Methods: A hospital based prospective study was carried out in Pediatric Medical Units of Mandalay Children’s Hospital during February 2009 to February 2010. Total of 62 children (3 months to 12 years) with confirmed ABM were included in the study.
Results: Among 62 cases of ABM, most cases occur in three months to one year age group. The most common presenting features were fever, seizures, lethargy and altered consciousness. Meningeal irritation signs including neck stiffness, positive Kernig and Brudinzski signs were detected in 27.41% to 38.7%. Gram positive and gram negative organisms were detected in 15 cases by CSF gram stain and organisms were isolated in 4 cases by CSF culture. WHO prognostic scoring scale <9 is noted in 61 out of 62 cases of confirmed ABM. Among 61 cases of score <9, 37 cases were alive without sequelae, 21 cases were alive with sequelae and 3 cases expired. Only 1 case had score >9 and the patient expired.