Abstract Details

Title Prevalence and Outcomes of Pediatric Central Nervous System Infections: a Population-Based Analysis

Topic Child Neurology and Developmental Neurology

Presentation(s) P8 - Poster Session 8 (8:00 AM-9:00 AM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 6-003

Objective

To quantify the prevalence and outcomes in children with central nervous system infections in a population-based cohort using administrative datasets.

Background In pediatric populations, infections of the central nervous system (CNS), including encephalitis, meningitis, and encephalomyelitis are medical emergencies requiring timely diagnosis and treatment to avoid mortality and adverse neurological consequences. The most common microbial pathogens causing CNS infections in children are viruses and bacteria although often no specific infectious pathogen is identified. We performed a population-based study of pediatric CNS infections utilizing province-wide de-identified databases, curated by the Alberta Strategy for Patient Orientation and Research Unit (AbSPORU).

Design/Methods We investigated microbial etiology, comorbidities, patient demographics, and outcomes of pediatric CNS infections corresponding to encephalitis, meningitis and encephalomyelitis through linked health service records for all pediatric patients (0-18 years) in Alberta, Canada (4.4 million persons) from 2004-2019. Infectious agents were identified from laboratory results for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients within 6 months from index date.

Results Among pediatric patients (n=1349) with diagnoses related to CNS infections, CSF results (n=454) were available from which CSF cultures were positive for bacteria (n=199), with the most common species being S. pneumoniae (n=53), group B streptococcus (n=33), and E. coli (n=24). Viral PCR analyses of CSF (n=46) detected enterovirus (n=19), herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 (n=11), and HSV type 2 (n=9). Concurrent bacterial and viral detection was also evident in CSF (n=2). Forty-nine patients were re-hospitalized within the first thirty days and 14 died. In the 3-12 month time frame 101 patients were re-hospitalized and 44 died.

Conclusions Among pediatric patients with suspected CNS infections, CSF analyses showed that only 54% had an identifiable microbial etiology, with bacterial meningitis as the most frequent diagnosis. These findings underscore the ongoing importance in defining the causes of encephalitis and meningitis in children with CNS infections.

Authors/Disclosures
Andrej Roczkowsky PRESENTER	Mr. Roczkowsky has nothing to disclose.
Nathan Armani, PhD	Dr. Armani has nothing to disclose.
Jeffrey Bakal	Jeffrey Bakal has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for American Heart Association.
Christopher Power, MD	Dr. Power has nothing to disclose.

��ɫ��

��ɫ��