Etiology and occurrence of bacterial meningitis in children in Najaf

226 cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] specimens were collected from children aged [1 day-10 years] admitted to of Al-Zahara children's Hospital in Najaf governorate from November 2001 to October 2004. The incidence of bacterial meningitis was [11.6%]. The following bacterial species were identified: Staphylococcus aureus, E.coli, Kiebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter spp Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Haemophilus influenzae Streptococcus pneumoniae. The most common etiologic agents of pediatric meningitis were Staph aureus and Enterobacter spp, together were isolated from 64% of CSF collected samples. The incidence of bacterial meningitis in male [52%] while in female [48%]