CLINICAL PROFILE OF PYOGENIC MENINGITIS AND ITS OUTCOME IN PEDIATRIC AGE GROUP.

Objectives:- To analyse demographic factors & clinical, biochemical, bacteriological profile, to study complications, outcome & antibiotic sensitivity pattern among different isolates identified in pyogenic meningitis in paediatric age group. Design:- Prospective observational study Methods:- Study subjects between ages of 1 month to 12 years with acute bacterial meningitis were enrolled. Clinical details were recorded. CSF was analysed by routine biochemical method and microbiological studies on special media. Management was as per standard protocols. Results:- In study period of 18 months 84 children satisfied the criteria of acute bacterial meningitis in childhood. 46.43% <1 years, chief presentation was fever, convulsion, vomiting, irritability, headache, refusal to feed/ poor feeding. Meningeal signs present in 40.47%, CSF gram stain positive in 8.33%, blood culture positive in 15.47%, CSF culture positive in 5.95%. The final etiological diagnosis as per CSF culture/ blood culture/ gram stain were streptococcus pneumonie (10.71%), staphylococcus auereus (2.38%), haemophilusinfluenzae type b (1.19%) & pseudomonas aeuriginosa(1.19%). 33.33% cases develop complications during hospital course. Mortality seen in 15.47% patients. Conclusions:- Acute bacterial meningitis has considerable mortality & morbidity in childhood. Neurodevelopmental follow up and therapy should begiven early. High mortality associated with duration of illness > 7 days, CSF sugar was < 20mg/dl, malnutrition and in cases where organisms identified. Good sensitivity observed among 3rd generation cephalosporin.