Table 2.
Clinical history and examination findings among neonates and young infants
| Characteristic | Ages 0–6 days | Ages 7–59 days | ||||
| No meningitis (n=3469) | Meningitis (n=39) | P value* | No meningitis (n=1259) | Meningitis (n=42) | P value* | |
| Bulging fontanel | ||||||
| No | 3419 (99) | 37 (95) | <0.001 | 1233 (98) | 33 (79) | <0.001 |
| Yes | 15 (0.4) | 2 (5.1) | 11 (0.9) | 9 (21) | ||
| Missing | 35 (1.0) | 0 (0) | 15 (1.2) | 0 (0) | ||
| Convulsions | ||||||
| No | 3269 (94) | 34 (87) | 0.063 | 1162 (92) | 31 (74) | <0.001 |
| Yes | 168 (4.8) | 5 (13) | 82 (6.5) | 11 (26) | ||
| Missing | 32 (0.9) | 0 (0) | 15 (1.2) | 0 (0) | ||
| Axillary temperature (°C) | ||||||
| <36 | 1061 (31) | 4 (10) | 0.021 | 77 (6.1) | 1 (2.4) | 0.269 |
| 36–38.9 | 2202 (63) | 30 (77) | 1092 (87) | 35 (83) | ||
| ≥39 | 199 (5.7) | 5 (13) | 89 (7.1) | 6 (14) | ||
| Missing | 7 (0.2) | 0 (0) | 1 (0.1) | 0 (0) | ||
| Agitation/irritability | ||||||
| No | 3375 (97) | 33 (85) | <0.001 | 1198 (95) | 36 (86) | 0.002 |
| Yes | 59 (1.7) | 6 (15) | 46 (3.7) | 6 (14) | ||
| Missing | 35 (1.0) | 0 (0) | 15 (1.2) | 0 (0) | ||
| History of fever† | ||||||
| No | 2086 (60) | 14 (36) | 0.006 | 470 (37) | 9 (21) | 0.074 |
| Yes | 1350 (39) | 25 (64) | 774 (61) | 33 (79) | ||
| Missing | 33 (1.0) | 0 (0) | 15 (1.1) | 0 (0) | ||
| Drowsy, lethargic or unconscious | ||||||
| No | 2626 (76) | 27 (69) | 0.466 | 1048 (83) | 31 (74) | 0.148 |
| Yes | 808 (23) | 12 (31) | 196 (16) | 11 (26) | ||
| Missing | 35 (1.0) | 0 (0) | 15 (1.2) | 0 (0) | ||
| Abnormal cry | ||||||
| No | 2489 (72) | 33 (85) | 0.093 | 846 (67) | 31 (74) | 0.587 |
| Yes | 945 (27) | 5 (13) | 118 (9.4) | 4 (9.5) | ||
| Missing | 35 (1.0) | 1 (2.6) | 295 (23) | 7 (!7) | ||
Data are n (%).
Group percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding off.
*Univariate comparison of characteristics.
†Elevated tactile temperature as reported by the parent or guardian.