Clinical features and long-term outcomes of children with pneumococcal meningitis in China: a 10-year single-centre retrospective analysis

Abstract Background Pneumococcal meningitis is a central nervous system infection responsible for high rates of mortality and long-term disability worldwide. We aimed to summarise the clinical characteristics, as well as determine the risk factors for mortality and long-term progression of paediatri...

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Main Authors: Yixuan Li, Binglin Jian, Xuekai Kang, Mengjie Zhang, Lingyun Guo, Xue Ning, Liang Zhu, Tianming Chen, Bing Hu, ShuPing Liu, Haijuan Xiao, Xin Guo, Wenya Feng, Zhenzhen Dou, Linlin Liu, Qinjing Li, Bing Liu, Gang Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:BMC Pediatrics
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-025-05476-0
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author Yixuan Li
Binglin Jian
Xuekai Kang
Mengjie Zhang
Lingyun Guo
Xue Ning
Liang Zhu
Tianming Chen
Bing Hu
ShuPing Liu
Haijuan Xiao
Xin Guo
Wenya Feng
Zhenzhen Dou
Linlin Liu
Qinjing Li
Bing Liu
Gang Liu
author_facet Yixuan Li
Binglin Jian
Xuekai Kang
Mengjie Zhang
Lingyun Guo
Xue Ning
Liang Zhu
Tianming Chen
Bing Hu
ShuPing Liu
Haijuan Xiao
Xin Guo
Wenya Feng
Zhenzhen Dou
Linlin Liu
Qinjing Li
Bing Liu
Gang Liu
author_sort Yixuan Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Pneumococcal meningitis is a central nervous system infection responsible for high rates of mortality and long-term disability worldwide. We aimed to summarise the clinical characteristics, as well as determine the risk factors for mortality and long-term progression of paediatric pneumococcal meningitis (PM). Methods This retrospective study included children with microbiologically confirmed PM who were admitted to Beijing Children's Hospital between 2012 and 2021. The laboratory examination results and clinical characteristics of the enrolled patients were analysed. All were followed-up with over the phone, and their long-term prognoses were scored based on the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended scale. Factors associated with long-term unfavourable outcomes were identified using single-factor and multivariate analyses. Results Totally 301 children with PM were included. Only 22 (7.31%) were vaccinated against Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) prior to disease onset. The median age at admission was 12.00 (7.00–44.08) months. The median hospitalisation length was 22.00 (14.50–33.00) days. A total of 190 patients (63.12%) experienced neurological complications during their clinical course. A total of 278 children were followed up for a median of 61.61 (41.84–85.42) months, 44 (15.83%) died, and 75 (32.05%) of the 234 surviving children experienced sequelae. In terms of their Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOS-E) Scale scores, there were 199 cases (71.58%) in the good prognosis group (1–2 points) and 79 cases (28.42%) in the poor prognosis group (3–8 points). Multivariate analysis showed that sex, recurrent seizures or convulsive status, muscle tone changes, dyspnoea, and lower peripheral white blood cells (WBCs) count in the acute phase were independent risk factors for poor prognosis (all P < 0.05). Conclusions PM is associated with high rates of fatality and morbidity in children. Approximately 1/3 of children who survive PM experiences neurological sequelae and require long-term rehabilitation training that poses significant burdens on the society and country.
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spelling doaj-art-0bb14e842aa64d1d86e6f6b2410319662025-08-20T03:41:40ZengBMCBMC Pediatrics1471-24312025-03-0125111110.1186/s12887-025-05476-0Clinical features and long-term outcomes of children with pneumococcal meningitis in China: a 10-year single-centre retrospective analysisYixuan Li0Binglin Jian1Xuekai Kang2Mengjie Zhang3Lingyun Guo4Xue Ning5Liang Zhu6Tianming Chen7Bing Hu8ShuPing Liu9Haijuan Xiao10Xin Guo11Wenya Feng12Zhenzhen Dou13Linlin Liu14Qinjing Li15Bing Liu16Gang Liu17Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Centre for Children’s HealthDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Centre for Children’s HealthDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Centre for Children’s HealthDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Centre for Children’s HealthDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Centre for Children’s HealthDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Centre for Children’s HealthDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Centre for Children’s HealthDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Centre for Children’s HealthDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Centre for Children’s HealthDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Centre for Children’s HealthDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Centre for Children’s HealthDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Centre for Children’s HealthDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Centre for Children’s HealthDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Centre for Children’s HealthDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Centre for Children’s HealthDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Centre for Children’s HealthDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Centre for Children’s HealthDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Centre for Children’s HealthAbstract Background Pneumococcal meningitis is a central nervous system infection responsible for high rates of mortality and long-term disability worldwide. We aimed to summarise the clinical characteristics, as well as determine the risk factors for mortality and long-term progression of paediatric pneumococcal meningitis (PM). Methods This retrospective study included children with microbiologically confirmed PM who were admitted to Beijing Children's Hospital between 2012 and 2021. The laboratory examination results and clinical characteristics of the enrolled patients were analysed. All were followed-up with over the phone, and their long-term prognoses were scored based on the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended scale. Factors associated with long-term unfavourable outcomes were identified using single-factor and multivariate analyses. Results Totally 301 children with PM were included. Only 22 (7.31%) were vaccinated against Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) prior to disease onset. The median age at admission was 12.00 (7.00–44.08) months. The median hospitalisation length was 22.00 (14.50–33.00) days. A total of 190 patients (63.12%) experienced neurological complications during their clinical course. A total of 278 children were followed up for a median of 61.61 (41.84–85.42) months, 44 (15.83%) died, and 75 (32.05%) of the 234 surviving children experienced sequelae. In terms of their Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOS-E) Scale scores, there were 199 cases (71.58%) in the good prognosis group (1–2 points) and 79 cases (28.42%) in the poor prognosis group (3–8 points). Multivariate analysis showed that sex, recurrent seizures or convulsive status, muscle tone changes, dyspnoea, and lower peripheral white blood cells (WBCs) count in the acute phase were independent risk factors for poor prognosis (all P < 0.05). Conclusions PM is associated with high rates of fatality and morbidity in children. Approximately 1/3 of children who survive PM experiences neurological sequelae and require long-term rehabilitation training that poses significant burdens on the society and country.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-025-05476-0ChildrenPneumococcal MeningitisClinical featuresLong-term prognosisRisk factors
spellingShingle Yixuan Li
Binglin Jian
Xuekai Kang
Mengjie Zhang
Lingyun Guo
Xue Ning
Liang Zhu
Tianming Chen
Bing Hu
ShuPing Liu
Haijuan Xiao
Xin Guo
Wenya Feng
Zhenzhen Dou
Linlin Liu
Qinjing Li
Bing Liu
Gang Liu
Clinical features and long-term outcomes of children with pneumococcal meningitis in China: a 10-year single-centre retrospective analysis
BMC Pediatrics
Children
Pneumococcal Meningitis
Clinical features
Long-term prognosis
Risk factors
title Clinical features and long-term outcomes of children with pneumococcal meningitis in China: a 10-year single-centre retrospective analysis
title_full Clinical features and long-term outcomes of children with pneumococcal meningitis in China: a 10-year single-centre retrospective analysis
title_fullStr Clinical features and long-term outcomes of children with pneumococcal meningitis in China: a 10-year single-centre retrospective analysis
title_full_unstemmed Clinical features and long-term outcomes of children with pneumococcal meningitis in China: a 10-year single-centre retrospective analysis
title_short Clinical features and long-term outcomes of children with pneumococcal meningitis in China: a 10-year single-centre retrospective analysis
title_sort clinical features and long term outcomes of children with pneumococcal meningitis in china a 10 year single centre retrospective analysis
topic Children
Pneumococcal Meningitis
Clinical features
Long-term prognosis
Risk factors
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-025-05476-0
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