A STUDY OF THE EPIDEMIC
OF MENINGOCOCCAL MENINGITIS AMONG CHILDREN IN KHARTOUM PROVINCE, 1999
Shendi Hos, Hashim
MSirK, Saeed NS
Dept. of Pediatrics,
Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, P. O. Box 102, Khartoum, Sudan
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children admitted, in the period between 12th May 1999 and the
end of July 1999 with the laboratory or clinical diagnosis of meningitis
were studied. Pre-adolescent age group was the most affected (28.9%),
followed by those 1-4 yrs (26.6%). 61.7% were males 20.3% were symptomatic
for 1 day and 33.6% for 2 days prior to presentation. The commonest
presenting symptoms were fever (96.1%), vomiting (63.3%), neck regidity
(84.4%), 26.5% had convulsions and 26.6% had impaired consciousness level.
Mortality rate was 10.9%. 3.2% had meningococcaemia and they all died. 7.8%
had sixth nerve palsy at presentation and 1.6% were blind, 1 patient had
hydrocephalus (0.8%) and one (0.8%) seventh nerve palsy. Gm stain showed Gm
negative diplocacci in 72.5% (out of 102), Gm +ve dipcocci in 1%. Latex
agglutination was +ve for Neisseria meningitis group A in 88.2%. 13.7% had
positive culture.
A
drug comparison was done in 96 patients. 53 received intravenous Benzll
penicillin and intravenous agneous chloramphenical while 43 received
long-acting only chloramphenical. There was no significance in the response
of the two groups. Hospital stay was significantly less in patients
receiving the oily chloramphenicol, but neck stiffness resolved later and
CSF was still turbid after 48-72 hrs.