Pediatric Bacterial Meningitis and Meningococcal Disease Profile in a Brazilian General Hospital

Objective: To evaluate the clinical and epidemiological profile of bacterial meningitis and meningococcal disease in pediatric patients admitted to a Brazilian Secondary Public Hospital.

Methods: A descriptive observational study was conducted. Microbiologically proven bacterial meningitis or meningococcal disease diagnosed from 2008 to 2018 were included.

Results: A total of 90 patients were diagnosed with proven bacterial meningitis. There were 64 confirmed cases of meningococcal disease. The prevalence was higher in boys (n = 38), median age 30 months (1-185). The main clinical manifestations were: meningococcal meningitis (n = 27), meningococcemia without meningitis (n = 14), association of meningococcemia with meningitis (n = 13), and fever without a known source in infants (n = 7). Admissions to intensive care unit were necessary for 45 patients. Three deaths were notified. Serogroup C was the most prevalent (n = 32) followed by serogroup B (n = 12). Pneumococcal meningitis was identified in 21 cases; out of the total, 10 were younger than two years. The identified serotypes were: 18C, 6B, 15A, 28, 7F, 12F, 15C, 19A and 14. Pneumococcal conjugate 10-valent vaccine covered four of the nine identified serotypes. Haemophilus influenzae meningitis serotype IIa was identified in three patients, median age 4 months (4-7). All of them needed intensive care. No deaths were notified.

Conclusion: Morbidity and mortality rates from bacterial meningitis and meningococcal disease remain high, requiring hospitalization and leading to sequelae. Our study observed a reduced incidence of bacterial disease over the last decade, possibly reflecting the impact of vaccination.