Clinico-Epidemiological Study of Bacterial Meningitis in Pediatrics Age Group of 0-5 Years in Odisha, India

Meningitis is a very serious and fatal infection of the meanings associated with high mortality and morbidity in children. There is absolutely very little data available on this serious infectious disease in eastern region of India (Odisha). Viewing the present scenario the study is taken up to determine the incidence and etiological profile of bacterial meningitis with reference to the complications among the pediatric age group of one month to five years. The present study was conducted in a pediatric referral hospital of Odisha for a period of 18 months. Suspected meningitis cases were enrolled considering the clinical manifestation of bacterial meningitis. Out of total admitted cases 634 cases were suspected with meningitis while 61 cases were confirmed bacterial meningitis. Most (59.6%) cases belonged to less than 1year age group and males outnumbered the females by a ratio of 2:1. Streptococcus pneumoniae was most common pathogen cases (57.6%) followed by Haemophilus influenzae type b (26.2%).