Viruses
Babies can get viral meningitis infections, which are not usually as severe as bacterial meningitis.
These infections can be severe and are associated with systemic infections and sepsis.
Symptoms can include persistent crying, unusual irritability, or excessive sleeping.
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Meningitis progresses quickly and can be fatal or have severe consequences.
This condition requires early detection and comprehensive treatment.
Your childs healthcare professional will do a physical examination.
This will include assessing their level of alertness, muscle tone, and response to sounds and visual stimuli.
The fontanelles, which can be full or tense due to meningitis, are inspected.
Changes in these reflexes are very important in identifying nervous system disease in young babies.
Lumbar Puncture
Alumbar puncture(spinal tap) is used to identify an infectious organism causing meningitis.
It is an invasive test involving the collection of CSF with a needle inserted below the spine.
The fluid is sent to a laboratory for analysis.
It may show signs of inflammation, and/or it may identify an infectious organism in the CSF.
Sometimes, however, an infectious organism might not be detected, even when there is an infection.
The procedure should take about 10 to 15 minutes if it is done at the bedside.
However, it can take longer if it is done with sedation and imaging guidance.
A lumbar puncture might not be recommended if the baby does not have substantial abnormalities on their neurological examination.
However, if your babys condition worsens or is not improving with treatment, this test might be necessary.
Certain problems, such as obstruction of CSF or a brain tumor, can make a lumbar puncture dangerous.
The imaging study would help to identify these or rule them out.
These tests can show obstruction, masses, anatomical defects, or fluid accumulation in the brain.
A brain or spine MRI might also show evidence of meningeal inflammation that may occur with meningitis.
Treatment
The treatment of meningitis in babies is focused on comfort and the prevention of long-term complications.
Treatment is tailored to controlling symptoms and, in some cases, to treating the infectious pathogen.
Supportive care to maintain nutrition and respiration (breathing) may be necessary in some cases.
However, bacterial meningitis and fungal meningitis must be treated with medication that targets the infection.
Sometimes antibiotics are started before the infection is identified and might be changed depending on the lumbar puncture results.
For these reasons, management of the babys body temperature may be necessary.
Treating hypothermia: Sometimes, babies with meningitis can have a low body temperature.
In these instances, the baby may need to be slightly warmed with a blanket or a warming bed.
Fluid management: A baby who has meningitis can become dehydrated or may have excess fluid around the brain.
Sometimes, management of body fluid concentration is needed with intravenous fluids or medication.
Nutrition: Babies who have meningitis often have a decreased appetite and/or might experience vomiting.
Nutritional supplementation might be necessary to maintain weight and have a healthy immune system to fight off the infection.
Seizure control: Babies can haveseizuresduring a meningitis infection.
Steroids; Sometimes steroids are used to reduce inflammation.
Treatment of hydrocephalus: Fluid buildup in the brain can be treated with medication, such as diuretics.
Prevention
There are several measures that can help prevent meningitis in babies.
Pregnant people may be screened for infections.
If a baby is at risk due to a maternal infection, antibiotics may be given.
If the maternal infection is discovered after the baby is born, the baby will often be treated.
Additionally, it is important to ensure that your baby receives the vaccines that are recommended for their age.
Dont let anyone who has an infection touch your baby or get near your baby.
Maintain hygiene, such as hand washing before you touch your baby and before you touch their food.
Be sure that fresh food is washed thoroughly before your baby eats it.
Complications
Meningitis can cause complications and lasting effects.
This may happen if the infection becomes severe.
This is more common with bacterial meningitis and with meningitis that involved very high fevers.
This may necessitate surgery and/or prolonged placement of a ventricular shunt.
Prognosis
The prognosis for meningitis depends on the cause and the severity of the infection.
Usually, viral meningitis can resolve without complications or long-term problems.
Generally, the sooner treatment is started, the more likely your child will have a good outcome.
If you are concerned about your babys symptoms, talk to their doctor or seek medical attention promptly.
doi:10.1099/jmm.0.001276
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About bacterial meningitis.
8(4):46-50.
