Short-Course Antibiotic Therapy for Meningitis in Children Shows Promise

Five days of ceftriaxone was effective in stable children with meningitis in developing countries.

The optimum duration of antibiotic treatment for bacterial meningitis is uncertain. In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted in five developing countries, researchers compared 5 or 10 days of parenteral ceftriaxone in 1004 children (age range, 4 months to 12 years) with meningitis (caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, or Neisseria meningitidis). Causative bacteriological diagnoses were identified in 67% of patients.

Only children who were stable after 5 days of treatment were randomized to receive another 5 days of ceftriaxone or placebo. Among the 41 children who died, 15 deaths were related to meningitis, with no statistical difference between groups. Bacteriological failure did not occur in either group. …

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Short-Course Antibiotic Therapy for Meningitis in Children Shows Promise

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Reviewing Author