Abstract
The case histories of 20 infants, in 14 of whom purulent meningitis developed during the first 4weeks of life and in other 6 during the following 2 weeks, were reviewed.
Gram-negative intestinal organisms were the most frequent etiologic agents.
In 3 cases of low-birth-weight infants, meningitis was one of the manifestions of septicaemia andthe prognosis were very poor (two of the 3 infants died and another one developed hydrocephlus).
In full-term infants with meningitis, the course and prognosis differed according to the time of onsetof the disease. In 3 infants in whom meningitis developed during the first week of life, the signswere non-specific, the course was fulminant, and all of them died. But, when the disease developedafter the first week of life, the diagnostic signs suggesting nervous system involvement were observed, and by early treatment, a half of the patient recovered without neurologic sequelae.
Non-specific and subtle signs such as lethargy and pcor sucking were very important to suggestmeningitis when other diseases were excluded.
Early diagnosis by cerebrosinal fluid examination and intensive treatment would improve theprognosis of the patient with purulent meningitis in the neonatal period.
