Recurrent bacterial meningitis in children: our experience with 14 cases.

Recurrent bacterial meningitis is an uncommon but life-threatening condition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the demographic, clinical, microbiological, and radiological features of recurrent bacterial meningitis in children. Fourteen patients (10 male, 4 female) treated for recurrent bacterial meningitis were reviewed. The mean age of the patients was 87 months (range: 6 months to 13 years). There were 67 episodes of meningitis documented in these 14 patients. Six patients had developmental anatomical defects, five had traumatic anatomical defects and three had primary immune deficiency diseases as predisposing conditions. We suggest that, in a case of recurrent meningitis, a pediatrician should question and examine the patient carefully in search of a possible anatomical defect or immunodeficiency. Vaccination and surgical treatment of the anatomical defects may be important.