Pediatric Meningitis

Infant Mortality After Invasive Group B Streptococcal Infection

Infants who contract group B streptococcus (GBS) meningitis have higher mortality rates—and GBS survivors are at greater risk of neurodevelopmental impairments—than children in the general population.

In Febrile Infants, COVID-19 Positivity is Associated with Lower Rates of Bacterial Infections

Investigators found hospitalized febrile infants diagnosed with COVID-19 were less likely to have concomitant bacterial infections— such as meningitis—than febrile infants who tested negative for COVID-19.

S. Pneumoniae in the PCV-13 Era: Is Pediatric Sensorineural Hearing Loss Serotype-Specific?

A recent retrospective study from researchers at Children’s Hospital Colorado to determine the hearing outcomes of pneumococcal meningitis found that non-PCV-13 serotypes seem to be driving the steady rate of post-meningitis SNHL in children.

Agreeing to Vaccinate: A Study of Parents and Kids in the Netherlands

An uptick in rates of invasive meningococcal disease among Dutch youth had health officials promoting a vaccine to protect against its spread. But would families accept it?

In Febrile Children Presenting to the ED, Watch Out for This Sign

With the goal of reducing unnecessary treatment, researchers investigated whether clinical signs of petechial rash or symptoms such as coughing or vomiting could be used as diagnostic markers to help confirm or rule out sepsis and/or meningitis.

Childhood Vaccination: One Rural State’s Experience

Given the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy and other factors, getting kids to complete their early vaccine series by the age of two is a challenge. But what happens when distance to a provider is thrown into the mix? Do vaccination rates shift dramatically?

In Pediatric Sepsis and Bacterial Meningitis, Procalcitonin Predicts Poor Outcomes

Findings from an Italian study suggest that procalcitonin levels, in combination with clinical features, can help emergency department staff predict poor outcomes for children with sepsis or bacterial meningitis.

In Neonatal Sepsis, When are Empiric Antibiotics Appropriate?

Investigators in Italy recently assessed whether early administration of antibiotics improves survival in preterm infants with late-onset sepsis—and, if so, what factors come into play.

Does This Infant Have a Post-vaccine Adverse Event—or Another Infection?

This retrospective observational study demonstrated that routine blood tests are often ineffective in determining the difference between AEFIs and other infections and that additional research into diagnostics and clinical prediction tools is required.

Late-Onset Meningitis: Incidence and Outcomes in Extremely Preterm Infants

Among the findings from this study was the observation that lumbar puncture is underutilized in extremely preterm infants with possible late-onset meningitis.

Serogroup B Meningococcal Prevention Efforts Vary Globally

Many countries have approved the use of one or both available protein-based vaccines for MenB, but immunization schedule policies and recommendations vary widely, and MenB vaccination coverage and surveillance data for many countries remain limited.

Meningococcal Vaccine Uptake: The Impact of Social Deprivation

A study using data from Northern Ireland found that school absenteeism and low educational attainment are strongly correlated with reduced meningococcal vaccine uptake.

What’s Driving Vaccine Hesitancy in Pediatric Settings?

To combat growing vaccine hesitancy and an increasing proportion of children who are not up to date on recommended vaccinations, these authors recommend that healthcare providers engage in shared decision-making to address individual questions and concerns.

Invasive Meningococcal Disease Remains a Threat in North America

Experts warn of the looming threat of IMD as a result of reduced vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic, antibiotic resistance, and low serogroup B immunogenicity.

Pediatric Meningitis

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