Neonatal and childhood bacterial meningitis at Saddam general hospital in Tikrit

ABSTRACT

A prospective study of the infants and children bacterial meningitis cases admitted to Saddam General Hospital [SGH] during the Spring of 1995 covering 87 patients where analyzed. Data were collected by a researcher filled, 23 relevant variables questionnaire, in addition to clinical findings and laboratory investigations. The peak incidence was in the 3 months to two years of age group, comprising 50% of the total cases. These patients were admitted to the hospital after showing signs and symptoms at times from one day to one month. The majority of cases [48%] were admitted within 1-5 days. The main etiological agents were H. influenzae, Streptococci, N. meningitidis, E. Coli, and Pneumococci. There were 28% of non responsive patients and four mortality cases and five cases with neurological sequalae. The factors influencing the disease and the treatment outcome are discussed