Comparison of clinical features of purulent meningitis between small-for-gestationalage and appropriate-for-gestational-age infants

Abstract:

Objective To study the differences in the clinical features of purulent meningitis (PM) between smallfor-gestational-age (SGA) and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) infants. Methods The clinical data of 58 fullterm infants with PM were analyzed retrospectively. The infants were classified into a SGA group (13 cases) and an AGA group (45 cases) according to their birth weight and gestational age. Clinical manifestations, laboratory results, and outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results The incidence of decreased muscle tone in the SGA group was significantly higher than that in the AGA group (P<0.05);the positive rate in the Pandy's test for cerebrospinal fluid in the SGA group was significantly higher than that in the SGA group (P<0.05). Brain imaging examination showed that the incidence of brain injuries in the SGA group was significantly higher than that in the AGA group (P<0.05). Conclusions SGA infants with PM display a higher risk of brain injury, suggesting a poorer outcome, compared with AGA infants.