title: [Factors influencing short-term prognosis of tuberculous meningitis in children].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the factors influencing short-term prognosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  The clinical data of 137 hospitalized children with TBM between January 2007 and February 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 30 potential factors influencing short-term prognosis of TBM were evaluated by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinical staging showed that of the 137 children 21 cases (15.3%) were in the early stage, 67 cases (48.9%) in the medium stage and 49 cases (35.8%) in the late stage of TBM. The univariate analysis revealed 8 factors associated with a poor short-term prognosis: clinical stage of TBM (late), coma, positive Babinski signs, cranial nerve involvements, paralysis, seizures, obvious abnormalities in brain computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and elevated protein concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Factors associated with a favourable short-term prognosis for TBM included glucocorticoid steroids therapy, positive reaction of PPD skin test and an increased length of stay in hospital. Multivariate logistic analysis revealed two independent risk factors for a poor short-term prognosis: clinical stage of TBM (late) (OR: 11.168, 95%CI: 3.521-35.426) and positive signs of meningeal irritation (OR: 4.275, 95%CI: 1.043-17.521). An increased length of stay in hospital was shown as a favorable factor (OR: 0.893, 95%CI: 0.825-0.968).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Late-stage TBM and positive signs of meningeal irritation suggest a poor prognosis, while an appropriately longer length of stay in hospital may contribute to a favorable short-term prognosis for children with TBM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Qiong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Jian-Jun
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Si-Yan
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Chao-Min
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Wan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014390:Tuberculosis, Meningeal / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis