FREQUENCY OF MENINGITIS IN NEONATES WITH LATE ONSET SEPSIS: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the pediatrics department at Syed Children Hospital Mardan from April 2022-23. A (n=210) newborns who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Meningitis was verified and treated according to hospital practice. Data were analyzed through SPSS 26.0. for categorical and continues, chai square and linear regression were used respectively.

Results: In a study of 210 infants, those with meningitis (n=50) were slightly older at diagnosis (16.2 ± 5.8 days) compared to those without (15.0 ± 6.3 days). Clinical symptoms such as poor feeding (80.0% vs. 62.5%, p=0.027) and seizures (40.0% vs. 9.4%, p<0.001) were significantly more prevalent in meningitis cases. Laboratory findings showed higher rates of elevated white blood cell counts (90.0% vs. 65.6%, p<0.001), C-reactive protein (94.0% vs. 73.8%, p<0.001), and positive cerebrospinal fluid cultures (100.0% vs. 0.0%, p<0.001) in the meningitis group. Infants with meningitis had longer hospital stays (30 ± 12 vs. 22 ± 8 days), higher mortality (40.0% vs. 12.5%), and increased risk of neurological sequelae (40.0% vs. 6.3%) compared to those without meningitis. These findings underscore the severity and adverse outcomes associated with infantile meningitis.

Conclusion: Infants with meningitis showed higher rates of clinical symptoms and elevated inflammatory markers compared to those without meningitis. Prompt diagnosis and aggressive management are crucial to mitigate adverse outcomes in affected infants.