Pneumococcal meningitis and bacteraemia in Danish children 1969-1978. Serotypes, incidence and outcome.

The incidence of pneumococcal meningitis in Danish children during 1969-1978 was estimated to be 2.1/year/100,000 children from 0 to 14 years old. Fifty-five per cent of 146 children with pneumococcal meningitis and 61% of 61 with bacteraemia were below 2 years of age. Mortality from meningitis was 13% and from bacteraemia 7%. Of the children with meningitis, 14% had sequelae at the time of discharge from the hospital. Sequelae were not seen after bacteraemia. Among 277 pneumococcal isolates from spinal fluid and blood from Danish children during 1969-1978, serotypes 14, 18C, 6A + 6B, 23F, 7F and 19F, in that order of frequency, were the most common ones, accounting for 69% of all isolates. Serotypes included in current 14-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines made of 80% of all types, when types 6A and 6B are considered together (because it has been shown that they offer cross-protection).