Neonatal meningitis in England and Wales: 10 years on.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the incidence of neonatal meningitis in England and Wales.

DESIGN

A national postal survey using the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit (BPSU) card scheme supplemented by information from other sources.

SETTING

England and Wales 1996-1997.

SUBJECTS: A total of 274 babies less than 28 days of age who were treated for meningitis.

RESULTS

The incidence of neonatal meningitis in England and Wales has not changed since our previous study in 1985-1987. However, the acute phase mortality has fallen from 19.8% in 1985-1987 to 6.6% in this study. Group B streptococci (42%) and Escherichia coli (16%) remain the most common infecting microorganisms. Eight of 69 (12%) babies with group B streptococci and 4/26 (15%) with E coli died. Antibiotic regimens based on the third generation cephalosporins, notably cefotaxime, were most commonly used (84%). The BPSU scheme identified 72% of cases during the study period. Most cases of viral meningitis were not reported through the BPSU. Less than a third of samples from aseptic meningitis were examined for viruses; 56% of these were positive.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the incidence of neonatal meningitis remains unchanged, mortality from this infection has fallen significantly. If this improvement is maintained as reflected in the level of sequelae at 5 years of age, then the fear surrounding meningitis during the neonatal period will have been dramatically reduced.