RESUMO
PURPOSE: This study was aimed to evaluate the clinical features of bacterial and aseptic meningitis in neonates. METHODS: Seventy seven neonates who diagnosed with meningitis at Inha University Hospital from June 1996 to August 2010 were enrolled in this study. The subjects were classified into either bacterial or aseptic meningitis and their medical records were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 77 cases, 18 cases were bacterial and 59 cases were aseptic. The main symptoms of both groups were fever, moaning in order. In bacterial meningitis, Group B streptococci (GBS) was the most common causative organism (12/18. 75%). In peripheral blood exam, patients with bacterial meningitis were more likely to show leukocytosis (WBC >20,000/mm3) and leukopenia (WBC <5,000/mm3) than those with aseptic meningitis. CRP was also significantly increased in the group of bacterial meningitis. In CSF analysis, 61.2% revealed pleocytosis more than 1,000/mm3 in bacterial meningitis and 8.5% did in aseptic meningitis. CSF glucose were <40 mg/dL in 72.2% of the group of bacterial meningitis and 35.6% of the group of aseptic meningitis. Mean CSF protein was 289.6+/-221.2 mg/dL in bacterial meningitis and 107.6+/-73.9 mg/dL in aseptic meningitis. Abnormal radiologic findings were found in 44.4% of bacterial meningitis and 8.4% of aseptic meningitis. The treatments were empirically initiated with ampicillin and cefotaxime in 60 cases, ampicillin and aminoglycosides in 12 cases. CONCLUSION: Although the clinical features of bacterial and aseptic meningitis are similar, peripheral blood and CSF exams revealed significant differences. Based on these differences, appropriate antibiotic treatment can be selected before the identification of causative agents.