[Clinical studies on pediatric purulent meningitis--clinical symptoms and prognosis]

In 149 patients with purulent meningitis we encountered in the period of 20 years from 1970 to 1990, their clinical symptoms and prognosis were investigated. Death or sequela was noted in many of the patients having loss of consciousness, stiffness of the members and/or cyanosis as primary clinical symptoms, or having hypoalbuminemia (less than 2.5 g/dl) and/or thrombocytopenia as abnormal laboratory findings, or having excessive protein levels and/or excessively low sugar levels in cerebro-spinal fluid. Early initiation of adequate antibiotic therapy, as well as symptomatic treatment using transfusion, steroids and anticonvulsants, are important.