Meningitis in the newborn.

Infection constitutes the most serious threat to survival with which the newborn infant has to contend. It may involve superficial or deep structures and frequently gives rise to septicaemia. In the present paper an account is given of the clinical and pathological features of twenty-one cases of neonatal meningitis (with special reference to the importance of morbid conditions of the skin and surface mucous membranes as primary foci of infection) occurring in the Royal Maternity Hospital, Edinburgh, during the past four years. Observations were made and recorded in connection with twenty of these infantsfrom the time of birth in the course of routine clinical duties. One child, born at home, first came under observation after admission to hospital on the third day of life. Post-mortem examination was carried out in eighteen cases; in the other three cases permission for autopsy was not obtained and diagnosis was based upon the results of examination of cerebrospinal fluids obtained during life.