All issues > Volume 47(11); 2004

Original Article

Korean J Pediatr. 2004;47(11):1181-1185. Published online November 15, 2004.

Epidemiologic Study of Aseptic Meningitis in Daejeon, Korea(1987 through 2003)

Jung-Hoon JH You¹, Kyung-Yil KY Lee¹, Hyung-Shin HS Lee¹, Ja-Hyun JH Hong¹, Mi-Hee MH Lee¹, Byung-Chul BC Lee¹

¹Department of Pediatric, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence Kyung-Yil KY Lee ,Email: leekyungyil@Catholic.ac.kr

Abstract

Purpose
: To evaluate the epidemiologic characteristics of aseptic meningitis in Daejeon, Korea from 1987 to 2003.
Methods
: A total of 2201 medical records of children with aseptic meningitis admitted to the Catholic University of Korea, Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, was retrospectively analyzed.
Results
: The mean annual number of cases was 129, with a higher rate of occurrence in the summer season(May to August, 74.1%). Outbreaks of aseptic meningitis were noted in the years 1990, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2001, and 2002. The age distribution was relatively even, with higher incidences in the 4-7 years group and in the under one year old group. The male-to-female ratio was 2 : 1. Comparing the epidemics of 1997 and 2002, there were no marked differences in age distribution, except in the less than 1 year old age group(11.8% vs. 4.4%), nor in the monthly incidence. Neurologic complications were found in 0.7% of the patients.
Conclusion
: Outbreaks of aseptic meningitis occurred every one to three years in Daejeon, reflecting typical nationwide epidemics that occurred from 1987 to 2003. The incidence of disease in the less than 1 year age group during each epidemic may reflect the herd immunity of the maternal generation.

Keywords :Aseptic meningitis, Epidemiology