[Pneumococcal meningitis: clinical features and prognostic factors]

ABSTRACT

Despite advances in antibiotic therapy strategies and pediatric intensive care, prognosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis remains very poor. To determine epidemiological and clinical features of pneumococcal meningitis and the factors associated with hospital mortality and neurologic sequelae. We conducted a retrospective study of 21 cases of childhood pneumococcal meningitis admitted in the department B of the Children hospital of Tunis during a 9-year-period. Twenty one children were included in this study. The mean of age was 22 months. 10 children had presented seizures before admission and one was admitted in coma. The direct examination of the cerebrospinal fluid was positive in 85 per cent soluble antigens were positive in 66 per cent and the culture was positive in 100 per cent. Immediate complication were notified in 9 cases and neurosensorial sequelae in 6 cases. Pneumococcal meningitis is a serious disease with a high rate morbidity and mortality then, we suggest introducing pneumococcal vaccine