Med J Aust. 1992 Oct 19;157(8):519-20.
Outcome of paediatric bacterial meningitis 1979-1989.
Thomas DG.
Department of Paediatrics, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, SA.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcome of all cases of paediatric bacterial meningitis over the 11-year period 1979-1989 and discuss the role of adjunctive therapy with dexamethasone. DESIGN AND SETTING: The study was performed by retrospective case review at Flinders Medical Centre, a general teaching hospital. RESULTS: There were 80 episodes in 79 patients. The age range was 2 days to 15 years (mean, 1.7 years). Haemophilus influenzae type b was the commonest organism (60 of 80 cases; 75%). There were five deaths (6.3%). Sensorineural hearing loss was found in six of 71 children (8.5%) and was bilateral and severe in four (5.6%). Other problems included learning difficulties (12.7%), motor problems (7%), speech delay (7%), hyperactivity (4.2%), blindness (2.8%), obstructive hydrocephalus (2.8%) and recurrent seizures (2.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Bacterial meningitis remains a disease with significant morbidity and mortality. Adjunctive therapy with dexamethasone should be considered, and vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae type b should be routine.