COMPARING CSF PARAMETERS BETWEEN CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH BACTERIALAND ASEPTIC MENINGITIS

Abstract

Introduction: Diagnosis of meningitis in children cannot rely on clinical examination. Present study aimed to evaluate the role of CSF examination in differentiating bacterial from aseptic meningitis in children less than 14 years of age. Methodology: This observational crosssectional study included children aged 1 month to 14 years with a diagnosis of meningitis. Children were classied as bacterial meningitis or aseptic meningitis. CSF examination was conducted to measure CRP, cell count, neutrophil count, lymphocytes, glucose levels and protein levels. Statistical comparison was made between children with bacterial meningitis and aseptic meningitis. Results: Children aged less than 2 years had the highest incidence of meningitis to the extent of 30.6%. CSF examination revealed than CRP was found to be positive in 81.82% of the patients with bacterial meningitis, while only 3.45% of the patients with aseptic meningitis had a positive CRP (p value < 0.001). It was observed that median cell count and neutrophil count were signicantly higher among patients with bacterial meningitis as compared to those with aseptic meningitis. While, median lymphocyte count was signicantly lower in patients with bacterial meningitis as compared to those with aseptic meningitis (p value < 0.001). Furthermore, we observed that CSF glucose less than 50% of that blood levels was observed in 81.82% of the patients with bacterial meningitis, which was signicantly higher than those diagnosed with aseptic meningitis (p value < 0.05). Conclusions: CSF CRP and biochemical parameters like cell count, neutrophils and glucose levels can aid in differentiating bacterial from aseptic meningitis