Comparison of clinical features of purulent meningitis between small-for-gestational-age and appropriate-for-gestational-age infants / 中国当代儿科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the differences in the clinical features of purulent meningitis (PM) between small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) infants.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 58 full-term infants with PM were analyzed retrospectively. The infants were classified into a SGA group (13 cases) and an AGA group (45 cases) according to their birth weight and gestational age. Clinical manifestations, laboratory results, and outcomes were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidence of decreased muscle tone in the SGA group was significantly higher than that in the AGA group (P<0.05); the positive rate in the Pandy's test for cerebrospinal fluid in the SGA group was significantly higher than that in the SGA group (P<0.05). Brain imaging examination showed that the incidence of brain injuries in the SGA group was significantly higher than that in the AGA group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>SGA infants with PM display a higher risk of brain injury, suggesting a poorer outcome, compared with AGA infants.</p>