Causes of Bacteraemia and Meningitis in Young Children

Under 1 month old

• Group B streptococcus
• Escherichia coli (and other enteric Gram negative bacilli)
• Listeria monocytogenes
• Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Haemophilus influenzae
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Neisseria meningitides
• Salmonella spp

1-3 months old

• Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Group B streptococcus
• Neisseria meningitides
• Salmonella spp
• Haemophilus influenzae
• Listeria monocytogenes

Over 3 months old

• Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Haemophilus influenzae
• Neisseria meningitides
• Salmonella spp

 

References:

1. Brook I. Unexplained fever in young children: how to manage severe bacterial infection. BMJ. 2003 Nov 8;327(7423):1094-7. [Medline]

 

Created: Jul 21, 2005