Meningitis (Paediatrics)
- Other notes

Causative organisms

Under 2 months

• E coli and other gram negative organisms
• Group B strep
• Listeria monocytogenes

Over 2 months

(Same as adult, but ranked differently)

• Neisseria meningitidis (20% in communities are carriers (in nose))
• Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Hemophilus influenzae

Prevention

Notifiable disease - ring Public Health Unit (ring when meningitis suspected)

Treat all contacts within the last 10 days

Kids should not go to school for 2-3 days.

Prophylatic treatment

• Rifampicin
• Give 3rd generation cephalosporin instead if pregnant

Immunisation

If caused by Neisseria Meningitidis, type C

   -> consider immunisation

 

Complication

• Cranial nerve damage - VI, VIII
• Deaf
  -> Audiology assessment in 2 weeks, and 2 months after discharge.
• Continuous seizures
• Cerebral infarct/oedema/abscess
• Arthritis
• Pericarditis
• Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome
• Gangrene of peripheral toes/fingers/other body parts