Introduction: Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) a leading
cause of death and morbidity in children below five-yearsold. This study aims to compare the varied presentation and
clinical course of IPD in two different tertiary hospitals in
Malaysia.
Methodology: A retrospective study of all positive
Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates consistent with
invasive disease from children below 14 years of age
hospitalised in two tertiary hospitals; between year 2012 and
2016 was conducted. IPD cases were defined as isolates of
S. pneumoniae from a normally sterile body fluid site.
Results: Fifty-four patients were identified in both centres,
35 (65%) from HRPB as compared to 19 (35%) from HS.
Majority of cases (14/35, 40 %) in HRPB were of Orang Asli
in comparison to Malay children (16/19, 84%) in HS.
Septicaemia, pneumonia and meningitis were the most
common clinical presentation of IPD in both centres. There
was a noticeably higher percentage of isolates found to be
non-susceptible (NS) in HS (62.5%) as compared to HRPB
(37.5%) although of no statistical significance. Mortality rate
was higher in HRPB (26%) in comparison to 11% in HS.
Conclusion: This study highlighted the varied presentation
of IPD in two different hospital settings. Although both
deemed as urban centres, this study emphasises the
importance of understanding socio-demography, health
facility availability and primary care practices as it
significantly alters the clinical course of a disease.