Pediatr. praxi. 2009;10(1):20-24
Purulent meningitis in childhood
- JIRP, Pediatrická klinika 1. LF a IPVZ, Fakultní Thomayerova nemocnice, Praha
Purulent meningitis (PM) is a very serious acute bacterial disease in childhood. After successful introduction of vaccination against
Haemophilus influenzae, the most commonly seen pathogenic bacteria are Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis. PM
is almost always a systemic disease which spreads from bloodstream into meninges and cerebrospinal fluid. Infants and children with
purulent meningitis have acute onset of the illness with fever, headache with or without stiff neck, nausea, vomiting and photophobia.
Some children may present with altered consciousness or seizures. The diagnosis is based on performig lumbar puncture and on examination
of cerebrospinal fluid. The most important measures in whole management of PM are early diagnosis, early treatment with
administration of antibiotics, careful and frequent assesment of patient´s status.
Keywords: meningitis, lumbar puncture, treatment, complications.
Published: March 1, 2009 Show citation
