Meningococcal disease in childhood--a regional study in Ireland.
A retrospective study of microbiology laboratory records of culture-confirmed cases of meningococcal disease in children under 14 years of age, admitted to four Dublin hospitals, was conducted for the period 1981-1991 inclusive. The study aimed to describe the epidemiology of meningococcal disease in childhood and to assess the potential of meningococcal group A and C vaccine in preventing disease. There were 406 cases of meningococcal disease of which 319 (78.6%) were in children under 5 years of age. The meningitis to septicaemia ratio was almost 4:1 (320 vs. 86 cases). Of the 406 cases, 216 (53.2%) cases occurred during the period November to March. The age-specific annual incidence rates for the Eastern Health Board region served was 64.2 per 100,000 under 1 year of age and 24.6 per 100,000 under 5 years of age. A relative increase in disease caused by meningococcal serogroup C was observed during the period of the study. Only 15% all cases could have been prevented by a policy of universal meningococcal group A and C immunisation at 2 years of age. Such a policy, therefore, is not recommended. A vaccine for preventing disease caused by meningococcal group B is urgently required.
Department of Public Health, Eastern Health Board, Dublin.
J
J
Fogarty
C T
CT
Keane
R
R
Carroll
M
M
Byrne
A C
AC
Moloney
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D014611:Vaccination
D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines