WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

*Nashwan Nadhim Jaro, Isam Nazar Mohammed Al-Shammaa and Ban Ghazi Dhanoon

ABSTRACT

Background: The medical term "meningitis" refers to an inflammation of the meninges, which is the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is mostly caused by viral, bacterial and fungal infections. The clinical manifestations of viral meningitis may vary depending on age and immunological condition. Objectives: Is to identify the epidemiological and clinical, features of meningitis among children in Mosul city. Methods: A cross section study was conducted from April 2023 to the end of April 2025 in Mosul city at Ibn Sena and Ibn Al Atheer Teaching Hospitals. The questionnaire form was consisted from three parts. Part one for sociodemographic information such as name, age, sex, residency, previous admission, history of contact, and previous use of antibiotic. Part two for patients’ clinical signs and symptoms such as; fever, headache, vomiting, convulsion, photophobia, lethargy, diarrhea and meningeal irritation signs. Part three for laboratory results. Results: Among 120 children enrolled in this study, the mean age of the study patients was 5.29 ± 3.31 years. The majority of patients were aged from 4-9 years, from male gender, urban residency. Most of mothers were from secondary educational levels while most of the fathers were from primary educational levels. Positive animal contact was reported among only 44 (36.66%) patients. Furthermore; the majority of patients were received mixed feeding during their first year of life, they were passive smoker, received regular vaccination, and took antibiotics before infection and having history of repeated infection. Only 21 (17.5%) patients had head trauma, 27 (22.5%) patients had positive family history of meningitis. Additionally; the majority of infections occurred during winter season. Fever was the commonest reported compliant among 108 (90%) patients, followed by headache among 89 (74.16%) patients, and lastly bulged fontanel among 21 (17.5) patients. Viral meningitis was prevalent among 71 (59.16%) patients, followed by bacterial meningitis among 38 (31.66%) patients and 11 (9.16%) patients had several causes. Conclusion: The study concluded that viruses caused over half of meningitis in Iraq. More than one-third of affected children receive artificial milk during their first year of life. Meningitis is more predominant during winter season in Iraqi climate. Meningococcal cases and epidemics can be avoided by vaccine, which has been available for over 50 years. Licensed vaccinations are providing varying periods of protection.