Epidemiologic Study of Aseptic Meningitis in Daejeon, Korea(1987 through 2003).
- Author:
Jung Hoon YOU
1
;
Kyung Yil LEE
;
Hyung Shin LEE
;
Ja Hyun HONG
;
Mi Hee LEE
;
Byung Chul LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatric, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. leekyungyil@catholic.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Aseptic meningitis;
Epidemiology
- MeSH:
Age Distribution;
Child;
Disease Outbreaks;
Epidemiologic Studies*;
Epidemiology;
Humans;
Immunity, Herd;
Incidence;
Korea;
Medical Records;
Meningitis, Aseptic*;
Retrospective Studies
- From:Korean Journal of Pediatrics
2004;47(11):1181-1185
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
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.
