ESPE Abstracts

We analyzed the clinical data and the growth parameters of 50 newborns and young infants (age: 1.6 ± 0.9 months) admitted to our hospital (Al Wakhra Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Doha, Qatar), between 1-1-2016 to 1-1-2017, with acute meningitis. Anthropometric measurements included weight, length, and head circumference. Length SDS (L-SDS) and body-mass-index (BMI) were calculated and recorded at every clinic visit, every 3 months for 8 ± 2 months.

Results: In this age group of neonates and young infants with acute meningitis fever (84%) and hypoactivity (64%) were the major presenting manifestations. Acute bacterial meningitis (n: 10) was associated with higher morbidity [shock (n: 1), subdural empyema (n: 1) and hydrocephalus (n: 1)]. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examinations showed that infants with bacterial meningitis had significantly higher pleocytosis of mainly polymorphic leukocytes and protein levels, compared to those with aseptic meningitis

All infants showed normal linear growth and weight gain during the follow-up period (10 ± 2 months). The annualized growth rate of infants = 25.3 ± 3.5 cm per year. All had normal length standard deviation scores (LSDS) (-0.2 ± 0.9) and none of them had LSDS < -2. All infants had a normal BMI (16.7 ± 1.8 kg/m2). Head circumference growth was normal in 49/50 infants (43.8 ± 1.8 cm) at 8 ± 2 months. One infant developed hydrocephalus after GBS meningitis. There was no statistical difference in linear growth between infants with aseptic and bacterial meningitis.

Conclusion: Infantile linear growth appears to be normal in all newborns and young infants with both bacterial and aseptic meningitis. However, acute bacterial meningitis in newborns and young infants is still associated with considerably high morbidity and complications.