# P-466. Predictors of Adverse Clinical Outcomes in Children with Community-Acquired Bacterial Meningitis

## TL;DR

This study identifies factors like abnormal neurological exams and mechanical ventilation that predict poor outcomes in children with bacterial meningitis.

## Contribution

The study identifies novel independent predictors of adverse clinical outcomes in children with community-acquired bacterial meningitis.

## Key findings

- Abnormal neurological exam, abnormal fontanelle, and mechanical ventilation are independent predictors of adverse clinical outcomes.
- Adverse clinical outcomes occurred in 44% of children with community-acquired bacterial meningitis.
- Findings were validated using logistic regression and bootstrapping methods.

## Abstract

Community-acquired bacterial meningitis (CABM) in infants and children is a neurological emergency, requiring immediate evaluation and management. Despite timely management, children with bacterial meningitis remain at risk for adverse clinical outcomes (ACO). The aim of the study was to identify predictors of ACO (i.e., neurologic sequelae, hearing loss and mortality) in children with CABM.

We conducted a retrospective, multicenter study of three pediatric cohorts (age> 2 months-17 years) with the diagnosis of CABM. Cohort 1 consisted of 195 children from Yale New Haven Hospital from 1/1/1985-2/1/1998. Cohort 2 included 166 children from two New Orleans hospitals (Charity Hospital and Children’s Hospital of New Orleans) from 2/1/1980-4/1/2005, and cohort 3 consisted of 28 children in Houston, Texas between October 2017 and December 2023. Children with ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections were excluded. Baseline patient characteristics, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluations, treatment and outcomes were evaluated.

A total of 389 patients were included. Of these, 221 (57%) were male. The majority were African American (65.8%) followed by White patients (26.2%). 53 patients (14.9%) had a history of prematurity, 18 patients (5.1%) had developmental delays, and 11 (2.8%) were immunocompromised. ACO were observed in 168 children (44%); 75 (33%) developed hearing impairment, 96 (27%) experienced neurological sequelae, and 29 (7.6%) died. Baseline factors associated with an ACO on univariate analysis included seizures, abnormal fontanelle, abnormal developmental status, CSF protein > 120 mg/dl, CSF glucose < 20 g/dl, abnormal neurological exam, mechanical ventilation and absence of fever (P< 0.05). On logistic regression analysis, abnormal neurological exam (OR, 6.54; 95% CI, 1.97-21.71; P=0.002), abnormal fontanelle (OR, 2.29; 95% CI 1.19-4.43; P=0.013) and mechanical ventilation (OR, 5.56; 95% CI, 1.87-16.51; P=0.002) were independent predictors of an ACO and were validated internally with bootstrapping.

ACO occurred in 44% children with CABM; independent predictors included abnormal neurologic exam, abnormal fontanelle and mechanical ventilation.

Rodrigo Hasbun, MD MPH FIDSA, Biomeriaux: Grant/Research Support|Biomeriaux: research funding and personal fees to help with Monte Carlo simulation studies evaluating impact of cost on adults and children