Brain abscess in infants and children: a retrospective study of 107 patients in northeast Thailand.
OBJECTIVE
To review the clinical manifestation, predisposing factor location of abscess, causative organism, treatment, and outcome of brain abscess.


METHODS
Descriptive retrospective study.


METHODS
Srinagarind Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen.


METHODS
One hundred and seven infants and children with brain abscess that admitted between 1985 and 2005 are analyzed retrospectively.


RESULTS
The mean age was 8.4 years. The male-to-female ratio was 1.3:1. The most common predisposing factor was congenital heart disease. The most common organisms in congenital heart disease, chronic otitis media, and unknown source were Streptococci, Proteus, and Staphylococcus aureus respectively. Two very rare cases of Citrobacter freundii brain abscesses were reported. Only 9.4% had classic triad signs and symptoms of brain abscess. The overall mortality rate was 10.7%.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical features and outcomes of treatments of 107 infants and children with brain abscesses were reviewed. Congenital heart diseases and chronic otitis media were the most common predisposing factors. The common signs and symptoms were fever, headache, vomiting, alteration of consciousness, and focal neurologic deficit. The overall mortality rate was 10.7%.
Auvichayapat
Narong
N
Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand. anaron@kku.ac.th
Auvichayapat
Paradee
P
Aungwarawong
Sorarit
S
D000293:Adolescent; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D013785:Thailand