Causative Organisms and Risk Factors In Bacterial Meningitis in Al-Elwia Childhood Hospital - Baghdad

Abstract

Background: Childhood meningitis is a major
cause of morbidity and mortality, Hemophilus
influenza b (Hib) is the most common cause in
many countries, especially below 5 years and
before the development of conjugated Hib vaccine,
it is followed by Streptococcus Pneumonia, and
then N. meningitides, in addition to other
microorganisms.
Objective: To identify the causative organisms
of bacterial meningitis and to identify the factors
predisposing significantly to the incidence of
bacterial meningitis.
Method: This cross sectional , study was done in
Al-Elwia Pediatric Hospital during the period 1st
of January 2007 to 30th of June 2007.Eighty four
patients with presumptive diagnosis of meningitis
were included in this study, from the age of 2
months -12 years, History about some risk factors
were taken in details. Analysis of cerebrospinal
Fluid (CSF) with Gram stains & cultures were
done in all cases.
Results: The number of cases of meningitis was
50 (20 proved meningitis & 30 partially treated
meningitis), while 34 patients are found to have no
meningitis.
Streptococcus pneumoniae was identified in
45%, Hemophilus Influenza b in 20%, while
Nisseria meningitides 5%, other organisms include
Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus,
Klebsiella, & salmonella.
Many factors affecting the occurrence of
bacterial meningitis & these include: age, sex,
residence, body weight and home overcrowding.
Conclusions: Streptococcus pneumoniae was
found to be the predominant microorganism
causing bacterial meningitis in children aged 2
months-12 years, followed by Hemophilus
influenza b, while N. meningitides were one of the
rare bacteria which had been identified. E. coli was
found to be the major cause in cases of ventriculoperitoneal
(VP) shunt meningitis.