TITLE:
Prevalence of Bacterial Meningitis in Children Aged 0 to 14 Years in the Pediatrics Department of Donka National Hospital, Republic of Guinea
AUTHORS:
Emmanuel Camara, Yalikhatou Camara, Fatoumata Barry, Octave Castello Sodogandji, Abdoulaye Toure, Aly Badara Diaby
KEYWORDS:
Prevalence, Bacterial Meningitis, Children Aged 0 - 14 Years
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.15 No.6,
October
30,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Bacterial meningitis is a global public health problem, with several causative etiological agents that vary by age group and geographical area. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and identify bacterial species associated with meningitis in children attending the Pediatric Department of Donka National Hospital. Materials and Methods: Our study was cross-sectional, lasting ten (10) months, from January 5 to November 8, 2024. Results: The prevalence of meningitis among children admitted to the pediatric department of Donka National Hospital was 20.4%. The predominant age group was over 2 years old and males were the most affected. All samples taken from children were tested for Gram. A positivity of 20.4% was recorded, 76.5% were Gram-positive diplococci and 23.5% Gram-negative bacilli. Following culture, 76.5% of meningitis was due to Streptococcus pneumoniae and 23.5% to Heamophilus influenzae. Regarding antibiotic resistance, Haemophilus influenzae was resistant to Cephalotin, cotrimoxazole and Ticarcillin, while Streptococcus pneumoniae was resistant to vancomycin, nalidixic acid, cotrimoxazole and Tetracycline.