Bacterial meningitis in neonates and children South Africa

• Main Author: Thomas, Karla Mari
• Other Authors: Levin, M
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2014
• Subjects: Paediatrics
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/10743

Includes bibliographical references. === Acute bacterial meningitis is defined as the inflammation of the meninges. It is caused by various bacteria and the specific aetiology is age dependant. In the neonatal period the causative organisms are: Group B streptococci, Gram - negative bacilli (e.g.: E. coli, Klebsiella spp, Enterobacter spp, Salmonella spp) and Listeria monocytogenes. In infants and children up to the age of 5 the most common causative organisms include: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib)and Neiseria meningitidis. The two chief causes of bacterial meningitis in children older than 5 are S. pneumoniae and N. meningitidis. Various studies have been performed to look at the profile of meningitis among the paediatric population. Objective: To investigate the aetiology of acute bacterial meningitis in South African newborns and children from 2005 - 2010.