Valeria Dallai

Prof. Valeria Dallai


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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22 November 2024 in Children
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MBMartina Buttera
Martina Buttera
SMSofia Mazzotti
Sofia Mazzotti
TZTommaso Zini
Tommaso Zini
LCLucia Corso
Lucia Corso
VDValeria Dallai
Valeria Dallai
ABAlberto Berardi
Alberto Berardi
Background: Bacterial meningitis (BM) in infants is a serious condition that can lead to significant complications. Lumbar puncture (LP) is essential to provide diagnoses, however false negatives may result if LP is performed after the starting of antibiotic therapy. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of infants of any gestational age with BM within their first 90 days of life and admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Modena Policlinico between 1 January 2011, and 31 December 2023. Results: A total of 44 episodes of meningitis were confirmed in 40 infants, diagnosed by positive cerebrospinal fluid cultures (n = 37), polymerase chain reaction testing (n = 4), or both methods (n = 3). Three out of forty infants (8%) experienced a relapse of meningitis. Most episodes (31/44, 70%) occurred in preterm infants. The incidence of early-onset meningitis was lower than that of late-onset (0.18 vs. 0.94 cases per 1000 births, respectively), with Gram-positive accounting for most cases (27/44, 61%). LP was performed prior to antibiotic administration in most episodes (30/44, 68%). Two preterm infants (5%) died from meningitis-related complications. Forty-two episodes occurred among thirty-eight surviving infants; brain lesions were detected through brain ultrasound or MRI in nine out of forty-two episodes (21%). Conclusions: Preterm infants have higher rates of BM, brain lesions or case fatalities. Early diagnosis and prompt antibiotic treatment are critical to improve outcomes.