Abstract TMP104: Stroke in Paediatric Bacterial Meningitis

Introduction: Bacterial meningitis is a severe intracranial infection with a high complication rate. Neurological morbidity relates to parenchymal involvement where vascular mechanisms and stroke may predominate. Here, we systematically identified all neonates and children with bacterial meningitis and compared those with and without MRI-confirmed stroke. We hypothesized that patterns of stroke would correlate with causative organism and neurological outcome. Methods: Population-based (2.2 million), ten-year retrospective (2002-2012) cross-sectional study in Southern Alberta, Canada. Inclusion criteria were: (1) age from newborn (including prematurity) to 18 years, (2) brain MRI including DWI during admission, and (3) laboratory confirmed acute bacterial meningitis. Demographics, clinical presentations, risk factors, and laboratory findings were extracted. Original imaging was blindly reviewed and classified for stroke and injury pattern. Outcomes were extrapolated to the Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure (PSOM). Results: Twenty-four patients had confirmed bacterial meningitis and acute MRI (6 neonates, 83% male, and 18 children, mean age 3.14+/-3.9 years, 67% male). Arterial ischemic stroke was confirmed in 9/24 (38%). Strokes were often multifocal (89%), particularly in neonates (100%). Subjects with stroke were more likely to have longer duration of illness prior to presentation, meningismus, prolonged fever, seizures, and new focal neurological signs. The most common organisms were S. pneumonia in older children (44%) and group B streptococcus in neonates (33%). Three patients received steroids, 3 ASA and 1 heparin and ASA. Mortality was 22% in children with stroke and zero in those without (p=0.16). Survivors with stroke were more likely to have motor deficit (71% vs. 25%, p = 0.07), cognitive deficit (75% vs. 38%, p = 0.5), and speech deficit (60% vs. 10%, p = 0.08). Conclusions: More than a third of children with bacterial meningitis warranting MRI have stroke. Associations include longer duration of illness, meningismus, focal neurological signs and common causative organisms. Stroke was associated with higher mortality and morbidity, warranting consideration of increased MRI screening and new approaches to treatment.