Étude épidémiologique rétrospective des méningites bactériennes chez les enfants

Abstract

Bacterial meningitis in children remains a major medical-pediatric emergency due to its rapid progression, high mortality rate, and significant risk of neurological sequelae. This descriptive retrospective study aims to analyze the epidemiological profile of bacterial meningitis in children. It takes place in the pediatric departments of Berbih Abdelkader Hospital in Hammam Bouhdjar and the mother-and-child facility in Ain Temouchent during the period 2022–2026, and covers 98 cases recorded in children aged 0 to 15 years.The results reveal a significant resurgence of cases in 2025, accounting for 81.6% of all cases recorded over the study period. A male predominance is observed with a sex ratio of 1.88. The most affected age groups are those aged 5 to 15 years (37.8%) and 1 to 5 years (30.6%). The majority of cases are recorded during winter and spring, suggesting the influence of climatic factors and respiratory infections in the onset of the disease. Regarding therapeutic management, cephalosporins and amoxicillin are the most commonly used antibiotics. The clinical outcome is favorable in the majority of cases, with a recovery rate of 96.9%, while neurological sequelae and deaths remain rare.This study highlights the importance of strengthening vaccination, epidemiological surveillance, and early diagnosis in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with bacterial meningitis in children.