COVID-19 Pandemic Exacerbates Pediatric Meningitis Cases in Turkey

Strategic Insights -

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the healthcare systems worldwide, leading to a surge in cases of various infections, including meningitis in children. A recent study published in the Brain & Development journal has found an alarming increase in pediatric meningitis cases in Turkey, with 66 children diagnosed with the condition between January 2023 and December 2024. The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Health Sciences, highlights the need for continued public health efforts to prevent and manage meningitis in children.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study included 66 pediatric patients with laboratory-confirmed meningitis requiring intensive care, with 39 (59%) diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and 27 (41%) with viral meningitis.
  • The most frequently identified pathogens in bacterial meningitis cases were Streptococcus pneumoniae (41.0%), Neisseria meningitidis (15.4%), and Haemophilus influenzae (10.2%).
  • In the viral group, the most common pathogens were herpes simplex virus type 1 (25.9%), enterovirus (22.2%), and human herpesvirus 6 (22.2%).
  • The bacterial meningitis group had significantly higher white blood cell counts and C-reactive protein levels, and lower cerebrospinal fluid glucose levels compared with the viral meningitis group.
  • The study emphasizes the importance of continued public health efforts to reduce mortality and prevent long-term sequelae associated with meningitis in children.
  • Researchers from the University of Health Sciences, including Nihal Akcay, Ilyas Bingol, Demet Tosun, Muhterem Duyu, Abdulrahman Ozel, Servet Yuce, and Burcu Bursal, contributed to this study.

Statistics:

  • 66 pediatric patients with laboratory-confirmed meningitis in Turkey between January 2023 and December 2024.
  • 39 (59%) of patients diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and 27 (41%) with viral meningitis.
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae (41.0%), Neisseria meningitidis (15.4%), and Haemophilus influenzae (10.2%) were the most frequently identified pathogens in bacterial meningitis cases.
  • Herpes simplex virus type 1 (25.9%), enterovirus (22.2%), and human herpesvirus 6 (22.2%) were the most common pathogens in the viral group.

Sources:

  • Post-COVID-19 trends in pediatric meningitis in the PICU: A multicenter study. Brain & Development, 2025;47(5):104408.
  • NewsRx. New Findings Reported from University of Health Sciences Describe Advances in COVID-19 (Post-COVID-19 trends in pediatric meningitis in the PICU: A multicenter study). Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. August 24, 2025; p 106.