A study of the prevalence of bacteria causing meningitis in newborns with neural tube defects at Ali Omar Askar Hospital
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58916/jhas.v10i3.858الكلمات المفتاحية:
Bacteria، inflammation، meningitis، neonatal، neural tube defectالملخص
Bacterial meningitis is a life-threateing condition that affects infants and remains a major contributor neonatal morbidity and mortality,particularly aamong newborns with neural tube defects (NTDs). These congenital anomalies increase the susceptibility of the central nevous system to severe infections due to compromised structural integrity.
Objective: this study aims to investigate the prevalence and type of bacterial pathogens causing meningitis in neonates with NTDs admitted to Ali Omer Askar Hospital, Libya.
Method: A total of 33 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were collected from neonates diagnosed with NDTs over a nine-month period. Samples underwent Gram staining and were cultured on various selective media (Blood Agar, Chocolate Agar, McConkey Agar). Additional samples were analyzed from blood and wound swabs to identify bacterial pathogens.
Results: Among the cases,72% tested positive for bacterial meningitis, with a higher prevalence in females (58.3%). Hydrocephaluse was the most common NDT observed (40%), while ruptured meningomyelocele cases showed the highest infection rates. Acinetobacter sp was the most frequently isolated bacterium (24.4%), followed by Staphylococcus hemolyticus (15.1%).
Conclusion: Neonates with NDTs, especially those with ruptured meningomyelocele, exhibit a significantly elevated risk of bacterial meningitis. The findings underscore the importance of early diagnosis, targeted antibiotic therapy, and heightened clinical attention for this vulnerable.
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