PNEUMOCOCCAL MENINGITIS AND BACTERAEMIA IN DANISH CHILDREN 1969–1978

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Abstract
The incidence of pneumococcal meningitis in Danish children during 1969-1978 was estimated to be 2.1/yr/100,000 children from 0-14 yr old; 55% of 146 children with pneumococcal meningitis and 61% of 61 with bacteremia were < 2 yr of age. Mortality from meningitis was 13% and from bacteremia 7%. Of the children with meningitis, 14% had sequelae at the time of discharge from the hospital. Sequelae were not seen after bacteremia. Among 277 pneumococcal isolates from spinal fluid and blood from Danish children during 1969-1978, serotypes 14, 18C, 6A + 6B, 23F, 7F and 19F, in that order of frequency, were the most common ones, accounting for 69% of all isolates. Serotypes included in current 14-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines made up 81% of all types, when types 6A and 6B are considered together, because they offer cross-protection.