Outcomes in children with enterovirus meningitis in London, England: a retrospective multicentre cohort study, 2013 - 2023

Abstract

Non-polio enteroviruses (EV) are the most common cause of meningitis in children. We conducted a retrospective case series of long-term outcomes in 243 children between 1/1/2013 and 31/12/2023 across four tertiary centres in London. Adverse outcomes were associated with absence of fever at presentation (odds ratio, OR 4.65, 95% CI 1.03, 20.83), presence of seizures (OR 7.40, 95% CI 1.05, 51.96) and presence of comorbidities at baseline (OR 5.27, 95% CI 1.18, 23.47). Full recovery was seen in 153/160 (95.6%) of children who were under 3 months of age. These data may help clinicians to counsel parents and policymakers on streamlining care pathways following hospital discharge