Objective: To study the clinical features and risk factors of children with bacterial meningitis (BM) in southern China. Methods: Clinical data of children with BM from 2012 to 2018 were analyzed. Results: 838 patients (M/F=1.8:1) were enrolled. 90.6% of patients were under one year old. The common symptoms included fever, seizure, etc. 88.1% of patients had CSF WBC increase while 86.8% and 96.9% of patients had CSF glucose decrease and protein increase respectively. 38.7% of patients were positive in bacterial culture, with the most common bacteria Streptococcus agalactis, Escherichia coli, and streptococcus pneumoniae. 80.1% and 52.2% of patients had abnormal brain MRI and BAEP, with threshold increase most commonly seen. 1.2% and 0.4% of patients were combined with CSF fistula and immunodeficiency respectively. Complications included subdural effusion, ependymitis, hyponatremia. Antibiotic meropenem combination with another antibiotic was the most commonly used. For the score Glasgow outcome scale at discharge, 92.0% of patients got 5 points. The total fatality rate was 1.9%. 10.7% of surviving patients at follow-up had sequela with delayed motor development most commonly seen. And 1.6% of surviving patients at follow-up experienced recurrent BM with Streptococcus pneumoniae being the most common bacteria. Some risk factors associated with ICU admission, brain parenchymal involvement, subdural effusion and hearing impairment. Conclusion: of pediatric BM in southern China: more than 90% of patients archiving good outcomes at discharge, with fatality rate relatively low and around10% of patients having neurological sequela.

Lian-feng Chen
Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center

Wen-Lin Wu
Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center

Yuan-yuan Gao
Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center

Xiao-Jing Li
Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center

Wen-Xiong Chen
Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center
China