[LS2-1B-2] Central Nervous System Infection: The Situation of Tertiary Care in a University Hospital in the Northern Part of Thailand
Central nervous system infection (CNS) is a common condition of patients transferred to Chiang Mai University Hospital. Our institute receives patients from 17 provinces in the northern part of Thailand. Apart from this, we also receive ethnic minority patients from the border region of Myanmar. The incidence of meningitis from late onset neonatal sepsis is similar to the previous era. However, meningitis and meningoencephalitis from bacterial etiologies in toddlers and children has reduced significantly in Thai patients, which might be explained from the development of a vaccine policy in Thailand. Other etiologies of meningitis such as fungal and parasitic infection are still seen and relate to the patient’s underlying condition. Brain abscess is also observed intermittently in cyanotic heart patients. The conditions of ethnic Myanmar patients received are more severe. The main investigations in each case of CNS infection in our institute have not changed from the past but for interesting patients where more details are required to explain a causative agent, advanced biological tests and advanced radiological technique are applied. Complications of the disease itself in addition to hospital acquired infections generate longer hospital stays. Despite the theme of the AOCCN 2017 Congress of Next Generation Child Neurology; new momentum in our region, central nervous system infection continues to have a big impact in terms of quality of life. Preventing infection is still the primary goal.