Accompanying Infections in Hospitalized Children with Neurological Disease

Abstract

Introduction: Infections in children with neurological disease often require hospitalization and are treated with antibiotics. In this study, it was aimed to determine the accompanying infections, antibiotics used and pathogenic microorganisms grown in cultures in hospitalized children with neurological disease. Materials and Methods: Digital medical files of patients between one month and 18 years old admitted to the pediatric neurology service were retrospectively analyzed. Diagnoses of neurological and infectious disease, antibiotics and antiepileptics used, and culture antibiogram results were recorded. Results: The most common infectious disease in children with neurological disease was lower respiratory tract infections (50%). Antibiotic use rate in children with neurological diseases was 51.9% (32.4% single and 19.4% combined). Lower respiratory tract infections (50%) were the leading antibiotic indications. Third generation cephalosporins (46%) were the most used in mono antibiotherapy, carbapenems (26.6%), gylicopeptides (26.6%) and broad-spectrum penicillins (10%) were used at higher rates in combined antibiotherapy. Pathogenic microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Morganella morganii and Enterococcus raffinosus were grown in urine cultures, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium in blood cultures. 59.3% of the children with neurological diseases were receiving antiepileptic treatment. Valproic acid 24.6%, levetiracetam 20.0%, phenobarbital and carbamazepine were used at 10.8% frequency. Conclusion: The most common infectious disease in hospitalized children with neurological disease is lower respiratory tract infections. Although cephalosporin is mostly preferred in mono-antibiotherapy, carbapenem and glycopeptides come to the fore in combined therapy. It is important to know the infections that may develop in the follow-up of this group of patients and the possible causative pathogens for rapid and effective treatment and to reduce health costs.