Clinical features to distinguish meningitis among young infants at a rural Kenyan hospital.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Detection of meningitis is essential to optimise the duration and choice of antimicrobial agents to limit mortality and sequelae. In low and middle-income countries most health facilities lack laboratory capacity and rely on clinical features to empirically treat meningitis.

Objective

We conducted a diagnostic validation study to investigate the performance of clinical features (fever, convulsions, irritability, bulging fontanel and temperature ≥39°C) and WHO-recommended signs (drowsiness, lethargy, unconsciousness, convulsions, bulging fontanel, irritability or a high-pitched cry) in discriminating meningitis in young infants.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Kilifi County Hospital.

Patients

Infants aged <60 days hospitalised betwee

SUBMITTER: Obiero CW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7841476 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature