Meningitis Among Neonates with Suspected Sepsis Presenting to Pediatric Emergency

We aimed to assess the risk factors, clinical features and microbial profiles of meningitis in neonates with suspected sepsis referred to a pediatric emergency. Over 13 months, 191 neonates were enrolled, of whom 64 (33.5%) had meningitis. There were no significant differences in risk factors or clinical features between infants with and without meningitis. Ninety-three neonates (49%) had culture-positive sepsis (109 isolates). Candida spp. (n = 29), coagulase-negative staphylococci (n = 28) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 23) were the most common pathogens. Forty-one (53%) bacteria were multidrug resistant.

Automated summary

We conducted a study to evaluate the risk factors, clinical features, and microbial profiles of meningitis in neonates with suspected sepsis. Out of 191 enrolled neonates over a 13-month period, 64 (33.5%) were diagnosed with meningitis. There were no significant differences in risk factors or clinical features between infants with and without meningitis. Culture-positive sepsis was observed in 49% of neonates (109 isolates), with Candida spp., coagulase-negative staphylococci, and Klebsiella pneumoniae being the most commonly identified pathogens. Among these bacteria, 53% were multidrug-resistant.