Research Article
Radouani MA, Kabiri M, Mustaph
Abstract
Neonatal bacterial meningitis has a mortality rate that exceeds 10% and is responsible for sequelae in 20-50% of cases. The epidemiology of bacterial meningitis is variable depending on the age, areas and periods. Aim of the study: To study the incidence of neonatal meningitis, know the evolution of bacterial epidemiology and risk factors. Population and methods: A retrospective study about 60 cases of neonatal meningitis over a period of 3 years (January 2011-December 2013) at the National Reference Centre for Nutrition and Neonatology of the Children's Hospital of Rabat. Results: The prevalence of neonatal bacterial meningitis was 0.5 per 1000 live births. Parturients were aged between 21 and 35 years in 50% of cases. They were illiterate in 65% of cases. The pregnancies were followed in 60% of cases. Families were from urban environment in 70% of cases. Primiparity was noted in 69% of mothers. We had vaginal delivery in 80% of women. The Apgar was <7 to 20% of newborns. The average age was 4 days with extremes of 2 and 23 days. The sex ratio was 1. Were preterm children in 42% of cases of low birth weight in 93% of cases. The average age at diagnosis was 2 day +/- 1. Neonatal bacterial meningitis were due to Escherichia coli in 45% of cases followed by group B streptococcus (GBS), which represents 2% of germs involved. Blood culture was positive in 60% of patients. They were congenital anomalies associated in 13% of cases. Low birth weight, failure monitoring pregnancy and the presence of congenital malformations were risk factors significantly associated with the occurrence of neonatal bacterial meningitis. The death occurred in 8% of cases. Conclusion: Neonatal bacterial meningitis was significantly related to adverse socio-economic conditions.