A New Look at the Healthcare Burden of Viral Meningitis

In an era of declining cases of bacterial meningitis, admission rates and antibiotic use for viral meningitis remain high.

With the advent of conjugated vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae, most cases of meningitis in children are caused by viral infections. Researchers examined emergency department (ED) data for41 U.S. children's hospitals from 2005 through 2011 to determine the current healthcare burden of viral meningitis.

Of 7618 children with viral meningitis (0.05% of ED visits), two thirds presented during enteroviral seasons (June through October). On average, only 25% of cases underwent viral testing and most diagnoses were based on negative bacterial cultures. Overall, 85% of children received parenteral antibiotics, 91% were hospitalized, and the median cost per patient was US$5056. Children with viral meningitis who were not hospitalized did not have a higher rate of return visits or subsequent hospitalizations than children who were hospitalized.

CITATION(S):

Nigrovic LE et al. Trends in the management of viral meningitis at United States children's hospitals. Pediatrics 2013 Apr 1; 131:670.