Exploring The Microbiological Profile Of Meningitis Cases In Children 0-2 Years Old Patients Of Quetta District, Balochistan, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Meningitis is still a major public health problem in young children (0–2 years) especially in low resourced areas, such as Quetta District of Balochistan province, Pakistan. Early recognition and knowledge of the local microbiological flora are important for optimal management, in order to reduce morbidity and mortality. The information about the etiological agents and their antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of this causes is highly valuable in order to define efficient clinical and public health interventions.

Objectives: To define the microbiological profile of bacterial organisms responsible for meningitis in children aged 0-to-2 years, to identify the most frequent bacteria causing infection and should them be susceptible or resistant to antibiotics typically used.

Research Methodology: This was a retrospective study of 2743 paediatric meningitis patients, which analysed microbiological and demographic data between January 2025-April 2025 at the Child Life Foundation (CLF), Sandeman Provincial Hospital, Quetta. The ethnic distribution of the study population was Pashtun (45%) Baloch (30%), Punjabi (15%), Hazara (7%) and Sindhi (3%). Pathogens and antimicrobial susceptibility rates for the causative agents such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria meningitidis were extracted from laboratory reports.

Results: There were significant bacterial etiologies and diversity of susceptibility patterns to antibacterial agents. 60% Streptococcus pneumoniae were responsive and 40 % resistant to Penicillin; 85% of the isolates were susceptible to Ceftriaxone. The 70% Haemophilus influenzae were also susceptible to Ampicillin and 90 per cent to Chloramphenicol. N.meningitidis was very sensitive to Ciprofloxacin (95%), and slightly sensitive to Rifampincin (80%). The ethno-distribution of the cases is according to free living; the Pashtun children are the highest.

Conclusions: This report explains that, there exist high variation in terms of bacterial pathogens and resistance patterns that are related to pediatric meningitis cases of Quetta. This indicates that constant monitoring on the local and to sustain antimicrobial stewardship are necessary to provide effective treatment. Given its retrospective, single-center nature, the limitations of this study are easily recognized, but provide insights into local epidemiology and therapeutic challenges. In future studies, it was recommended that multicenter data and molecular diagnostic methods such as PCR may be used to improve pathogen detection. These findings can be translated to optimize early case detection and control intervention, along with standardized care and outcome in very young children living under low resource setting.