Neonatal meningitis
causative pathogens
- Group B Streptococcus spp. (Streptococcus agalactiae)
- E. coli
in children >6 months
- Strep pneumoniae
- Neisseria meningitidis
| Headline | |
|---|---|
| Etiology | see above N meningitidis, H flu, S pneumoniae - transmitted by resp droplet Group B Strep - vertical transmission (most common in early neonatal meningitis) |
| Epidemiology | Listeria meningitis is rare in the UK! |
| Clinical presentation | |
| Pathogenesis | inflammatory cascade → ↑ ICP |
| Diagnostic investigations | LP: |
| Management | <3 months: - Intravenous cefotaxime plus ampicillin or amoxicillin, or - Intravenous ceftriaxone with or without ampicillin or amoxicillin 3 months - 15 years: - IV ceftriaxone - Target to pathogen - IM benpen is only for community use |
Do not give ceftriaxone in: 2
- In premature babies
- In babies with jaundice, hypoalbuminaemia, or acidosis because it may exacerbate hyperbilirubinaemia
- If giving calcium-containing infusions