LOCALIZED EXTRACRANIAL INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN WITH ACUTE BACTERIAL-MENINGITIS

Twenty-four of 66 (363.6+/-116/1000) post-neonatal children with acute bacterial meningitis treated between August 1991 and November 1992 at the Emergency Paediatric Unit, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospi tal, Nigeria, had co-existing localized extracranial infections (LEI). Nineteen had bronchopneumonia (of which 14 were in combination with o ther infections), two had dysentry and one each acute otitis media, or bital cellulitis, and purulent conjunctivitis. LEI were significantly more frequent in children 12 years, and in children with delayed prese ntation and delayed diagnosis after presentation. Mortality rate was h igher in children with LEI (500+/-200/1000) than in those without (102 .6+/- 95.2/1000) (P < 0.001). There was no significant relationship be tween the incidence of LEI and the causative organisms of meningitis o r nutritional status of children with meningitis. We conclude that co- existing LEI are not infrequent in children with acute bacterial menin gitis; they contribute to delayed diagnosis and are associated with a poorer outcome.