Altered cerebral blood flow velocity in infants with meningitis

Background: Meningitis is one of the most common serious infections that occur in infancy, particularly during the newborn period. Altered cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) and intracranial pressure are thought to be important in the pathogenesis of brain injury. The purpose of this study was to understand the hemodynamic change in CBFV in infants with meningitis. Materials and methods: Twenty-six infants diagnosed with meningitis were studied. The patients were classified into two groups; bacterial or aseptic meningitis. The CBFV was measured using the duplex Doppler sonography system at the onset of illness, and the measured weekly until it was stable. Results: In the group with bacterial meningitis, the peak systolic flow velocity (PSFV) and mean flow velocity (MFV) at the onset of illness had significantly lower values than in the follow-up periods (p < 0.01); no significant changes in PSFV and MFV were found in the group with aseptic meningitis. The end-diastolic flow velocity and resistance index showed no significant changes in either group. Conclusion: The CBFV (especially PSFV and MFV) is significantly lower at the onset of bacterial, but not aseptic meningitis. Gradually increased PSFV and MFV occur with recovery from bacterial meningitis. These results suggest that the early phase of bacterial meningitis may contribute to a relative impairment of cerebral perfusion.