A Clinical Observation on Neonatal Bacterial Meningitis

ABSTRACT

Neonatal bacterial meningitis remains as one of the significant causes of death and neurological sequellae. Twenty four cases of neonatal meningitis who were admitted to pediatric department, National Medical Center from Jan. 1970 to Dec. 1978 were reviewed clinically and the following results were obtained. 1. Age of onset was chiefly in the lst week of life(57.4%) followed by the 2nd week of life(25%). 2. Sex ratio showed predominance of male(83.3%). Seasonal distribution was non remarkable. 3. Among 24 cases, there noted 11 cases of positive cultrues for the etiologic agents, 5 of Gram positive and 6 of Gram negative. 4. Mean duration of days between the onset and the diagnosis was 2.5 days. The most common presenting symptoms and signs were poor sucking, irritability and lethargy. 5. On cerebrospinal fluid examination there noted increased cell count and protein and decreased sugar content in all cases 6. Case fatality rate was 25%. Subdural effusion was complicated in 20% of the cases but no hydrocephalus was noted.