Epidemiology and Outcomes of Culture-proven Neonatal Meningitis in Australian Tertiary Hospitals: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal 2026 Open access

Read full text
Authors: Natalie Duffy, Archana Koirala, Phoebe C M Williams
DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000005131
Cited by: 0
References: 9

Abstract

We conducted a 5-year multicenter, retrospective cohort study to describe bacterial meningitis in Australian infants (0-180 days). Of 21 culture-positive infections, Streptococcus agalactiae (29%, 6/21), Staphylococcus aureus (19%, 4/21) and Escherichia coli (19%, 4/21) predominated. Four infants died (19%), including 3 with neurosurgical meningitis. In survivors, neurologic sequelae were common. Novel interventions to reduce the morbidity and mortality burden caused by neonatal meningitis are needed.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Neonatal and Maternal Infections Bacterial Infections and Vaccines Neonatal and fetal brain pathology

Publication details

Journal / source
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
Volume
45
Issue
6
Pages
e193–e195
Publication date
16 January 2026
Language
EN