Epidemiology and Outcomes of Culture-proven Neonatal Meningitis in Australian Tertiary Hospitals: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study

We conducted a 5-year multicenter, retrospective cohort study to describe bacterial meningitis in Australian infants (0-180 days). Of 21 culture-positive infections, Streptococcus agalactiae (29%, 6/21), Staphylococcus aureus (19%, 4/21) and Escherichia coli (19%, 4/21) predominated. Four infants died (19%), including 3 with neurosurgical meningitis. In survivors, neurologic sequelae were common. Novel interventions to reduce the morbidity and mortality burden caused by neonatal meningitis are needed.