Disease burden of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis meningitis in children and adolescents: A population-based study

作者：Zhang J, Qin L, Liu N, Zhang F, Jiang Q · 发表于：Medicine · 年份：2026 · DOI：10.1097/MD.0000000000048455 · 被引用次数：60 · 研究领域：children and adolescents、disease burden、socio-demographic index

Bacterial meningitis remains a major, life-threatening infection in children and adolescents, with Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis (SPM) and Neisseria meningitidis meningitis (NMM) accounting for most cases. This study aimed to quantify the global burden and spatiotemporal patterns of SPM and NMM in individuals aged 0 to 19 years from 1990 to 2021, and to provide evidence for integrated, cross-pathogen prevention and improved clinical pathways. Using Global Burden of Disease 2021 estimates for 204 countries and territories, we extracted deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for SPM and NMM in individuals aged 0 to 19 years (1990-2021). Trends were assessed using estimated annual percentage change and Joinpoint regression. Spearman correlation and concentration indices quantified inequalities across socio-demographic index (SDI) levels, decomposition analysis identified burden drivers, and Bayesian age-period-cohort modeling projected trends to 2050. In 2021, SPM caused 20,718 deaths (95% UI 14,718-29,192) and 1,823,058 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs; 95% UI 1,301,814-2,561,107), while NMM caused 17,389 deaths (95% UI 12,705-23,603) and 1,552,383 DALYs (95% UI 1,146,164-2,096,751) among those aged 0 to 19. From 1990 to 2021, the overall burden of both pathogens fell substantially worldwide, with a steeper decline for NMM. Decomposition pointed to epidemiological change as the main driver. Burden clustered in children under 5; among those younger than ten...