MENINGITIS IN NEONATES PRESENTING WITH NEONATAL SEPSIS AT TERTIARY CARE HOSPITALS OF PAKISTAN

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the research is to find out the meningitis in neonates presenting with neonatal sepsis

Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study

Study Duration: 06 months from January 2024 to July 2024

Study Place: Department of Paedetrics, CMH Rawalpindi

Methods: 200 participants were enrolled using a WHO online calculator. Non-probability convenient sampling technique was applied to select neonates showing meningitis symptoms. Sepsis was confirmed through elevated CRP and abnormal hematological parameters. Variables like gestational age, birth weight, FOC, hemoglobin, and CRP were presented as mean ± SD, while gender and delivery mode were shown as frequencies. SPSS 26 was used for data analysis and p-value <0.05 was considered as significant.

Results: Among 200 neonates, 134 (67%) were males and 66 (33%) females. The mean gestational age, birth weight, and fronto-occipital circumference (FOC) were 34.4 weeks, 2872 g and 33.5 cm respectively. The mean CSF cell count was 383.03, while proteins and glucose averaged at 922 and 2.3, respectively. Mean CRP was 32.06. 24 patients (12%) were culture-positive. E. coli was found in 7 cases, Acinetobacter baumannii in 6, and Klebsiella pneumoniae in 4. E. coli was resistant to ampicillin but sensitive to amikacin, ceftriaxone, gentamicin and meropenem.

Conclusion: Neonatal meningitis is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in preterm and low-birth-weight neonates. Early diagnosis using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and effective targeted antimicrobial therapy are te most important rescue measures in managing this condition.