Comparison of Seven Days Antibiotic Therapy with Conventional Treatments of Bacterial Meningitis

The sequelae of acute bacterial meningitis in children who were treated with ampicillin or chloramphenicol for seven days during the period khordad 1366 to Ordibehesht 1369 were assessed prospectively. 165 patients (85 boys and 80 girls) ranged in age from five days to 12 years (mean 31.5 months) were studied. Haemophilus influenza type B was isolated in 65 % , Streptococcus pneumoniae in 25% and Neisseria meningitidis in 10%. The mortality rate was 7.3%. No relapses occurred. 50 survivors had Neurologic-Psychometric Audiologic, and Ophthalmologic assessments performed for minimum of 1 year following their illness. Forthy children (80%) had no detectable sequelae; 20% had mild to severe handicaps. The frequency of sequelae was greatest among children with S. pneumonia meningitis (60%) and none among children with N. meningitidis. Complications included: Sensorineural hearing loss (14%), developmental delay (5.3%), speech defect (4.5%), motor defect (3%), hydrocephalus (1. 7 % ) , and seizure disorder (2 % ) . The frequency of observed sequelae among these patients is similar to that previously reported in children treated for ten to 14 days. Our finding indicate that seven days of intravenous antibiotic therapy is adequate for the treatment of bacterial meningitis in children.