Table 3 Comparison of potential screening criteria at admission for definite meningitis (excluding children with possible meningitis only (Group C, n=51))

Bulging fontanel^a or neck stiffness

161

23

23.5 (15.5–33.1)

98.9 (98.7–99.1)

14.3 (9.3–20.7)

99.4 (99.3–99.5)

7 (5–12)

Cyanosis or any of the above

207

23

23.5 (15.5–33.1)

98.6 (98.3–98.8)

11.1 (7.2–16.2)

99.4 (99.3–99.5)

10 (7–16)

Seizures outside 6 months to 6 years or any of the above

771

33

33.7 (24.4–43.9)

94.3 (93.8–94.6)

4.3 (3.0–6.0)

99.5 (99.3–99.6)

27 (19–43)

Focal seizures or any of the above

1023

39

39.8 (30.0–50.2)

92.3 (91.9–92.8)

3.8 (2.7–5.2)

99.5 (99.4–99.6)

30 (22–47)

Impaired consciousness or any of the above

2659

57

58.2 (47.8–68.1)

79.7 (79.0–80.4)

2.1 (1.6–2.8)

99.6 (99.5–99.7)

57 (43–85)

Fever without malaria parasitemia or any of the above

8099

84

85.7 (77.2–92.0)

37.6 (36.7–38.4)

1.0 (0.8–1.3)

99.7 (99.5–99.8)

134 (99–208)

IMCI referral criteria: neck stiffness, lethargy, impaired consciousness, or seizures

4951

78

79.6 (70.3–87.1)

62.0 (61.2–62.9)

1.6 (1.3–2.0)

99.7 (99.6–99.8)

76 (59–104)