Abstract
One hundred ninety-two of 194 L.A. County hospitals were enrolled in the Meningitis Surveillance Program in 1975. Three hundred twenty-eight cases of meningitis in children were identified from a review of bacteriology laboratory reports and medical records at each hospital. Criteria for inclusion of a case were age >56 days and <18 years; and a positive CSF culture, or CSF pleocytosis >500 WBC with >50% PMNs, or CSF pleocytosis >100 WBC with >50% PMNs with a positive blood culture for one of the major bacterial pathogens. Etiologic organisms included Hemophilus influenzae type B, 207; Streptococcus pneumoniae, 43; Neisseria meningitidis, 37; Others, 9; and Purulent unknown, 32. The cumulative risk of meningitis in the first five years of life was 2.6/1000 for all types and 1.8/1000 for Hemophilus influenzae. The incidence was significantly higher in Spanish-surnamed and Blacks than in Caucasians. The incidence was highest in Spanish-surnamed for all types except Others. Associated diagnoses included otitis media(22%), iron deficiency anemia(13%), mastoiditis(4%), sinusitis(l%), and skull fracture(1%). On case (S.pneumoniae) was associated with Sickle Cell Disease. Serious complications occurred in 69(21%) patients and included convulsions(21%), paresis(6%), sub-dural effusion(4%), deafness(3%), psychomotor retardation(3%), and hydrocephalus(2%). Complications and mortality were highest in the Neisseria group. Thirteen patients died (4%) and 297 (85%) made a full recovery.
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Baraff, L., Wehrle, P., Wilkins, J. et al. EPIDEMIOIOGY OF PEDIATRIC MENINGITIS-LOS ANGELES COUNTY 1975. Pediatr Res 11, 434 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00388
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00388