Predictors of acute bacterial meningitis among children with a first episode of febrile convulsion from Northern India: A prospective study

Context: There is limited data to support need of lumbar puncture among Indian children aged less than 5 years presenting with a first episode of fever and seizure. Aims: To determine the incidence and clinical predictors of meningitis among children aged 6-60 months presenting with a first episode of febrile convulsion. Settings and Designs: A prospective study was conducted on 35 children (6-60 months) with a first episode of febrile convulsion subjected to lumbar puncture in a tertiary care teaching hospital of North India. Materials and Methods: Clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups: Children with meningitis ( n = 17) and children without meningitis ( n = 18). Statistical Methods: Multivariate logistic regression was applied to assess the independent predictors of meningitis. Results: A total of 120 children were screened; 35 children subjected to lumbar puncture were finally enrolled. The mean (SD) age of enrolled children was 18.49 (10.79) months. The incidence of meningitis was 48.6% (17/35). Children with meningitis significantly had a higher proportion of children with high grade (temperature >104°F) fever ( P = 0.005), received prior antibiotics ( P = 0. 041), had lower hemoglobin levels ( P = 0.04) and lower blood sugar levels ( P = 0.03) as compared to children with no meningitis. On multivariate logistic regression, it was observed that high-grade fever was an independent predictor of meningitis (odds ratio: 0.03 [0.001-0.86] [ P = 0.04]). Conclusion: We found that the presence of high-grade fever was an important predictor of meningitis among children aged 6-60 months presenting with a first episode of febrile convulsion.