Sensitivity and Specificity of Symptoms and Signs of CNS Infection in Children below 3 Years

Document Type : Original Article

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Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Aswan University.

Abstract

Background: CNS infection is connected with numerous consequences including long-term complications and short-term complications. The most common symptom of CNS infection: fever, seizures, altered consciousness, and meningeal signs carries good predictive power. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the overall validity of the symptoms and signs of CNS infection in children aged three years or below. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 children presented to Aswan University Hospital with clinical suspicion of CNS infection during the period from May 2023 till April 2024. Results: The median age was 8.5 months and 53% were males. Fever was present in 72%, lethargy in 76%, convulsion in 71%. As well, projectile vomiting was recorded in 53%, bulging fontanelle in 36%, 54% had neck stiffness and 45% had irritability. CSF culture was positive in 6% and blood culture in 27%. Morning headache, photophobia, and squint had better specificities and accuracies in detecting CNS infection. Conclusion: this study sheds light on the laboratory and clinical traits in children admitted with a range of CNS infection symptoms. Squint, photophobia, and morning headache, all showed promise as precise and specific markers of CNS illness.

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Aswan University Medical Journal
Volume 5, Issue 4
December 2025
Pages 144-156

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