*Correspondence: sabrinaccoelho2000@gmail.com.
Abstract
Background: Meningococcal meningitis is an infection transmitted by direct contact with a Gram-negative
bacterium called Neisseria meningitidis. The lethality is high and it is considered
a medical emergency that requires mandatory notification. This pathology has a characteristic
condition in which there is neck stiffness (Brudzinski and Kernig sign), fever and
headache, which may be accompanied by emesis, photophobia and lethargy. The prevention
is mainly the Meningococcal C vaccine (Conjugated), the 1st dose must be given in
the 3rd month of life of the child, the 2nd dose in the 5th month and the extra dose
should be given in the 12th month. The treatment is with antibiotics and should be
given as soon as possible to avoid transmission.
Objective: Analyze the clinical-epidemiological profile of cases of meningitis in children and
adolescents in Northern Brazil.
Methods: The method used was a retrospective study in which data were obtained on the DATASUS
health information system, through the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN).
The chosen inclusion criteria were cases of meningitis notified in the last 5 years,
age, sex and disease evolution, the exclusion criteria used were age above 19 years
old and other regions of Brazil, such as the northeast, south, southeast and midwest.
Results: A total of 1,242 cases of meningitis were reported in the North region among the
population under 1 year old up to 19 years old, from 2018 to 2022. Among these cases,
2.17% were related to meningococcemia (MCC), 4.83% were caused by meningococcal meningitis
(MM), 2.81% by meningococcemia with meningococcal meningitis (MM+MCC), 24.87% cases
represented meningitis by other bacteria (MB) and in 26.48% cases of unspecified bacterial
meningitis (MNE). The most affected age group was between 10 and 14 years old, with
16 patients being infected by meningococcal meningitis. Finally, it was observed that
the most affected sex was the male public and that there were 13 deaths due to MM.
Conclusion: Meningitis is a major public health problem, especially in less developed regions,
such as northern Brazil. However, if treated correctly, the disease has a good prognosis
with a significant recovery rate. The application of the Meningococcal C (Conjugate)
vaccine in the first months of life has the potential to further reduce the number
of cases and deaths from bacterial meningitis. The need for actions aimed at reducing
neuroinfections, such as meningitis, in children and adolescents, is crucial.
