The aim of this study was to examine the presence of any association between mannose binding lectin (MBL) gene variants and bacterial meningitis. Codon 54 (B allele) and codon 57 (C allele) polymorphisms in exon 1 of the MBL gene were investigated in 50 healthy controls and 31 patients diagnosed as purulent meningitis. Codon 57 polymorphism was not found in our patient and control groups. B allele frequency was significantly higher in the patient group (22%) compared to the control group (3%). AB genotype was determined in 39% and 6% of patient and healthy control groups, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant. AA genotype was determined in 61% of the patient group and in 94% of the control group, and it was statistically low in the patient group. These results suggest that codon 54 polymorphism in the MBL gene may play a role in susceptibility to bacterial meningitis in children.