Aseptic Meningitis and Its Viral Etiologies, Clinical Characteristics and Management Practices in Children: A Retrospective Hospital-Based Study From Jordan

Purpose In this study, we aimed to describe the clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, aetiologies, and role of PCR in the decision on the management plan and duration of hospital stay in Jordanian children diagnosed with aseptic meningitis. Methods This retrospective observational cohort study included children diagnosed with meningitis who were admitted to the paediatric ward at Jordan University Hospital (JUH) during the period from January 2016 to August 2020. Patients were identified through the ICD9 discharge code of meningitis. Patients diagnosed with aseptic meningitis (defined as a patient with signs and symptoms of meningitis with a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) white cell count of >5 cells/mm , and a negative CSF Gram stain) were included, while patients who had low CSF glucose (