Objective: Bacterial meningitis (BM) remains a serious cause of morbidity and mortality in childhood. The aim of this study is the estimation of BM impact in our area through some epidemiological data. Material: During the period 1970-1999 a total of 2509 cases with BM aged 0-14 years, were hospitalized in our Dept. In 1102 (43.9%) cases no causative agent was identified. In 1365 (54.5%) cases a common meningeal pathogen was isolated: Neisseria meningitidis 1070 (78.3%), Haemophilus influenzae type b 179 (13.2%), Streptococcus pneumoniae 116 (8.5%). There were also 42 (1.6%) cases of meningitis due to unusual pathogens (mainly Salmonella, Brucella, Listeria, Klebsiella, E. Coli, Pseudomonas). Results: The analysis of our data showed: i) During the study period there was a continuing decline of BM. Marked was the decrease of H. influenzae type b meningitis in the past five years. An increase of N. meningitidis cases was observed 3 years ago. ii) There was a male preponderance (57.6%). iii) The incidence rate of the disease was higher during the first 24 months of age (55%). iv) Seasonal distribution showed a higher rate during the winter-spring for N. meningitidis and S. pneumoniae and fall-winter for H. influenzae type b. v) The total mortality rate was 52/2509 (2.1%): N. meningitidis = 12/1070 (1.1%), S. pneumoniae = 13/116 (11.2%), H. influenzae type b = 3/179 (1.6%), meningitis due to unusual pathogens = 7/42 (16.6%), meningitis of unknown origin = 17/1102 (1.5%). Conclusions: Bacterial meningitis (except of S. pneumoniae) has a low morbidity and mortality rate in our area. Characteristic is the elimination of H. influenzae type b meningitis. The outbreak of N. meningitidis was short and was due mainly to serogroup C.