Oral Management for Pediatric Lyme Meningitis

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Pediatric Neurology
• Antimicrobial Therapy

Background:

• Current pediatric Lyme meningitis guidelines recommend parenteral therapy.
• Adult studies indicate successful treatment with oral therapy.
• This study evaluates oral versus parenteral therapy for pediatric Lyme meningitis in an endemic area.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the clinical response, side effects, and outcomes of oral therapy versus parenteral therapy for pediatric Lyme meningitis.
• To assess the safety and efficacy of oral antibiotic regimens in children diagnosed with Lyme meningitis.

Main Methods:

• A case series chart review was conducted from January 2012 to May 2017.
• Pediatric patients diagnosed and treated for Lyme meningitis were analyzed.
• Clinical presentation, laboratory values, antimicrobial therapy, and follow-up data were compared between oral and parenteral treatment groups.

Main Results:

• Thirty-eight pediatric patients with Lyme meningitis were identified.
• Thirty-two patients received exclusively oral therapy (doxycycline and amoxicillin).
• All patients on oral antibiotics experienced symptom resolution; only two reported mild adverse effects.

Conclusions:

• Oral therapy for pediatric Lyme meningitis is well-tolerated and shows no serious adverse events.
• Symptom resolution was achieved in all patients treated with oral antibiotics.
• Oral therapy presents a safe and effective alternative for pediatric Lyme meningitis.