Developmental outcomes in cerebrospinal fluid proven enteroviral meningitis in neonates>32weeks of gestation

AimThe aim of this study is to assess the short-term and long-term (1year) outcomes of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) confirmed enteroviral meningitis in neonates>32weeks of gestation. MethodsA retrospective audit of neonates admitted between 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2012. ResultsThirty-three neonates were diagnosed with enteroviral meningitis based on a positive CSF enteroviral PCR. Physical growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 1year corrected for prematurity were available for 24 infants. All infants were alive at 1year. The median weight, length and head circumference at 1year were in the 72nd, 62nd and 78th centile and were comparable with the birth parameters. The mean general quotient (GQ) was 98.5 (SD 7.1) and was not significantly different from the population mean of 100.2 (P=0.27). None of the infants had a GQ>2SD below the population mean. Neurological recovery was complete in the 24 neonates assessed except one, who developed cerebral palsy, epilepsy and progressive hydrocephalus requiring ventriculoperitoneal shunt at 1year. ConclusionNeonatal enteroviral meningitis was associated with optimal growth and neurodevelopment in the majority of the infants at 1year corrected for prematurity. Longer term studies are needed to better define developmental outcomes.