Bacterial meningitis--a four year survey in a paediatrics unit.

The aim of this prospective survey was to study the clinical profile, the incidence among the various age groups, the bacteriology, sequelae and mortality in patients, with bacterial meningitis. Patients included in the study were 36 cases of bacterial meningitis admitted to the Paediatric Unit, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, between the period January 1984 to December 1987. Of the total number of patients, 36% were in the neonatal age group. Positive bacterial cultures were obtained in 45% of cases in both the cerebrospinal fluid and blood. The incidence of neurological sequelae was about 10%. 14% of the patients died and the majority of deaths were patients in the neonatal age group. Among the patients studied, was one who had recurrent episodes of bacterial meningitis.