Table 5.
Characteristics of Patients Who Developed Neurological Sequelae of Infection
| Factor | Neurological Sequelae (n = 12) | No Neurological Sequelae (n = 42) | P Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age at admission, median (IQR), y | 10.0 (7.2–14.6) | 11.2 (9.3–13.7) | .63 |
| Male gender, n (%) | 2 (17) | 16 (38) | .16 |
| Report of fever, n (%) | 8 (67) | 32 (76) | .51 |
| Report of headache, n (%) | 10 (83) | 32 (76) | .60 |
| Report of altered mental status, n (%) | 4 (33) | 11 (26) | .63 |
| New-onset seizure activity, n (%) | 5 (42) | 4 (10) | .008 |
| Days of symptoms prior to admission, median (IQR) | 7.0 (4.5–11.0) | 7.0 (5.0–14.0) | .47 |
| Prior visit to healthcare provider, n (%) | 11 (92) | 37 (88) | .73 |
| Number of prior healthcare visits, median (IQR) | 2.0 (1.0–2.0) | 2.0 (1.0–2.0) | .75 |
| Prescribed antibiotics prior to admission, n (%) | 8 (67) | 19 (45) | .19 |
| Abnormal neurological exam at admission, n (%) | 10 (83) | 19 (45) | .02 |
| White blood cell count at admission (cells × 103/ µL), median (IQR) | 13.8 (12.1–17.5 | 15.4 (11.6–17.3) | .89 |
| C-reactive protein level at admission (mg/dL), median (IQR) | 13.8 (3.4–22.4) | 7.7 (4.8–18.8) | .94 |
| Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (mm/h), median (IQR) | 76.0 (73.0–99.0 | 72.0 (44.0–101.0) | .65 |
| Epidural abscess, n (%) | 5 (42) | 28 (67) | .12 |
| Subdural abscess, n (%) | 8 (67) | 22 (52) | .38 |
| Brain abscess, n (%) | 2 (17) | 6 (14) | .84 |
| Cerebritis, n (%) | 1 (8) | 13 (31) | .11 |
| Meningitis, n (%) | 5 (42) | 13 (31) | .49 |
| Need for repeat neurosurgery, n (%) | 4 (33) | 8 (19) | .29 |
| Culture positive for Streptococcus anginosus spp., n (%) | 8 (67) | 26 (62) | .76 |
Abbreviation: IQR, interquartile range.