FREQUENCY OF MENINGITIS IN LATE-ONSET NEONATAL SEPSIS IN PATIENTS PRESENTING TO SAIDU GROUP OF TEACHING HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Late-onset neonatal sepsis (LONS) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Meningitis, a serious complication of LONS, can lead to seizures, developmental delay, hearing impairment, hydrocephalus, and death. Early diagnosis is challenging due to non-specific symptoms. Determining the frequency of meningitis in neonates with LONS helps guide cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) evaluation and timely treatment.To determine the frequency of meningitis in patients with late-onset neonatal sepsis presenting to Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics over six months. A total of 159 neonates aged 5–28 days with LONS were enrolled using consecutive non-probability sampling. Meningitis was diagnosed based on CSF analysis (WBC >30/mm³, protein >80 mg/dL, glucose <40 mg/dL). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: Among 159 neonates, 92 (57.9%) were male and 67 (42.1%) female, with mean age 14.2 ± 6.1 days. Meningitis was diagnosed in 36 patients (22.6%). Higher frequencies were observed among preterm neonates (21/61, 34.4% vs. 15/98, 15.3%; p=0.021) and rural residents (28/103, 27.2% vs. 8/56, 14.3%; p=0.039). Conclusion: Meningitis complicates nearly one in four cases of late-onset neonatal sepsis. Routine consideration of lumbar puncture in clinically stable neonates with suspected LONS may improve early diagnosis and outcomes.