Changing spectrum of pediatric neurologic disorders during 18 selected years, 1900-1980, at the Hospital of University of Tokyo.
In order to assess the changing pattern of pediatric neurologic disorders during this century, we retrieved and analyzed the medical records of hospitalized patients with neurologic disorders in our hospital from 1900 to 1980. It was demonstrated that bacterial meningitis had been by far the most common cause of death until 1950. After 1950, both the incidence and the mortality rate of bacterial meningitis declined rapidly probably because of the improved medical care and introduction of various antibiotics. We noticed several interesting features in the changing spectrum of bacterial meningitis as described below. First it was demonstrated that the incidence of tuberculous meningitis declined almost a decade later than those of other kinds of purulent meningitis. Second, the incidence of bacterial meningitis declined even before the introduction of antibiotics. Although the development of antibiotics was the main contributing factor in improving the prognosis for bacterial meningitis, it is suggested from our data that other factors such as improved general supportive care and carrying out of public health programs also played an important role in improving the overall prognosis for bacterial meningitis.
Sakakihara
Y
Y
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Kamoshita
S
S
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000266:history; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007564:Japan; D008581:Meningitis / Q000266:history; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000266:history*