Epidemiologic Study of Aseptic Meningitis in Daejeon, Korea (1987 through 2003)

Purpose:To evaluate the epidemiologic characteristics of aseptic meningitis in Daejeon, Korea from 1987 to 2003. Methods:A total of 2201 medical records of children with aseptic meningitis admitted to the Catholic University of Korea, Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, was retrospectively analyzed. Results:The mean annual number of cases was 129, with a higher rate of occurrence in the summer season(May to August, 74.1%). Outbreaks of aseptic meningitis were noted in the years 1990, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2001, and 2002. The age distribution was relatively even, with higher incidences in the 4-7 years group and in the under one year old group. The male-to-female ratio was 2:1. Comparing the epidemics of 1997 and 2002, there were no marked differences in age distribution, except in the less than 1 year old age group(11.8% vs. 4.4%), nor in the monthly incidence. Neurologic complications were found in 0.7% of the patients. Conclusion:Outbreaks of aseptic meningitis occurred every one to three years in Daejeon, reflecting typical nationwide epidemics that occurred from 1987 to 2003. The incidence of disease in the less than 1 year age group during each epidemic may reflect the herd immunity of the maternal generation.