Descriptive analysis of viral meningitis in a general hospital: differences in the characteristics between children and adults.

Abstract Introduction and objectives our study aims to identify the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of viral meningitis in our environment and observe the differences with age. Materials and methods Retrospective study of viral meningitis that required admission to our hospital between 2000 and 2008. We compare characteristics between groups of children (under 15 years) and adults (15 years or older). Results The viral meningitis prevalent in males is higher during the summer months and the agent most involved is enterovirus. Children are seen in the hospital with shorter time of onset and their average stay is less. In children, the analytical data show greater systemic disorder, while in adults the cerebrospinal fluid anomalies are more important. Conclusions The viral meningitis in our environment is more common in males and in summer months. The clinical presentation and prodrome are similar in children and adults, although the average hospital stay is less in children of this age probably because the clinical outcome is shorter. The analytical data show that children have a higher systemic inflammation but lower CSF level, probably because lumbar puncture is performed earlier than in adults. Enteroviruses are common pathogens in both children and adults.