Acute bacterial meningitis in infants and children

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Kwang Sik Kim1

  • 1Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. kwangkim@jhmi.edu

The Lancet. Infectious Diseases
|February 5, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Bacterial meningitis remains a global threat to children, with evolving epidemiology due to vaccines. Understanding pathogenesis is crucial for effective treatment strategies against resistant bacteria.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Bacterial meningitis is a significant cause of death and disability in children globally.
  • Vaccines for Haemophilus influenzae type b, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Neisseria meningitidis have altered disease patterns.
  • Increasing antimicrobial resistance complicates treatment decisions for bacterial meningitis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on bacterial meningitis in infants and children.
  • To highlight the impact of vaccines on epidemiology.
  • To discuss challenges in treatment due to antimicrobial resistance and incomplete understanding of pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • This is a review article.
  • Information was gathered from existing literature on bacterial meningitis.
  • The review synthesizes data on epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnostics, and treatment.

Main Results:

  • Vaccine introduction has changed the epidemiology of bacterial meningitis.
  • Antimicrobial resistance is a growing concern impacting empirical treatment.
  • Incomplete understanding of pathogenesis hinders optimal prevention and treatment strategies.

Conclusions:

  • Further research into meningitis pathogenesis is essential.
  • Effective management requires updated knowledge on epidemiology, diagnostics, and treatment regimens.
  • Addressing antimicrobial resistance is critical for improving outcomes in pediatric bacterial meningitis.

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