Clinical Studies of Aseptic Meningitis in Pusan Area in 1996

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We report clinical features and viral studies on 153 children with aseptic meningitis in the Pusan area in 1996 and compare the results of this study with those of other reports in 1990 and 1993. METHODS: One hundred fifty-three children with aseptic meningitis who have been admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, St. Benedict Hospital between July and October 1996 were included. We described age and sex distribution, monthly distribution, clinical manifestations, laboratory data and complication. RESULTS: The male to female ratio was 2.321 and the most age was 4.21 years. It occurred mostly in July, August and October. It was later than the peak incidence between May and July in 1990 and 1993. The main symptoms were fever, headache and vomiting in this order. Rash was mostly maculopapular form and frequent in those younger than 4 years-old. No specific results were not found in peripheral blood and CSF studies. We failed to isolate the causative agent in the viral culture, but Echovirus 9 was suspected as a causative agent by its clinical features and other similar reports. The duration of clinical symptoms in the early diagnostic group was significantly shorter that in late diagnostic group. CONCLUSIONS: Aseptic meningitis was prevalent in children in the Pusan area, during the summer of 1996. It was frequent in male and the mean age was 4.21 years. It occurred mostly in July, August and October. Peak incidence was later than in 1990 and 1993. The main symptoms fever, headache, vomiting and rash were observed frequently.