TITLE:
Characterization of Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) in Bacterial Meningitis in Children at the Albert Royer Children’s Hospital from January 2022 to June 2023 (18 Months) about 62 Cases
AUTHORS:
Awa Kane, Maryam Aida Kane, Aminata Mbaye, Guilaye Diagne, Ndeye Fatou Sow, Eva Sophie Sène, Amadou Sow, Yaye Joor Dieng, Djenaba Fafa Cissé, Marie Paula Absa Dione, Mame Awa Ndao, Ndeye Astou Diop, Ibrahima Diop, Indou Deme-Ly, Idrissa Demba Ba, Laeticia Béatrice Takam, Papa Moctar Faye, Amadou Lamine Fall, Ousmane Ndiaye
KEYWORDS:
Meningitis, Children, Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF)
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.15 No.5,
September
9,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background: Bacterial meningitis is a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency. The aim was to study the cytological, chemical and microbiological characteristics of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) during bacterial meningitis. Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive and analytical study based on data from patients’ hospitalization records, over the period from January 2022 to June 2023 (18 months). All children aged 0 to 14 years with a CSF study including cytochemistry and/or bacteriology in favor of bacterial meningitis were included. Results: A total of 62 children, with a sex ratio of 1.69, were included. The median age was 22 months, ranging from one day to 126 months. Immunization status was up to date in 85% of patients. Sixteen children (26%) had received antibiotics prior to hospitalization. The most common clinical signs were fever (85%), convulsions (24%), irritability (23%) and altered consciousness (21%). Lumbar puncture was performed on admission in 66% of cases (n = 41). CSF was clear in 58% of patients; cloudy in about 29%. Cytology ranged from 5 to 5040 elements/mm3, with a median of 136 elements/mm3. Glycorrhachia less than 0.4 g/dl was noted in 26% of patients (n = 16), and the median proteinorachy value was 0.77 g/L. Bacteriology was positive in 32.26% of patients (n = 20), with a positivity threshold of 13% (n = 8) for culture versus 20.1% (n = 13) for PCR. Previous antibiotic therapy was associated with negative CSF culture (p = 0.047). Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most frequently found germ (40%; n = 8). Conclusion: The study of CSF is essential for the diagnosis of meningitis. Overuse and inadequate use of antibiotics (prior to sampling) make interpretation difficult.