Bacterial Meningitis in Children: An Overview Bacterial meningitis represents a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide. Meningitis is defined as inflammation of the protective membranes, known as meninges, that surround the brain and spinal cord (Chavez-Bueno et al
, 2005). Various antibiotic regimens are available for treatment and recent studies have inquired into the use of corticosteroids in children to reduce hearing loss complications associated with bacterial meningitis (Mongelluzzo et al
, 2005). Antibiotic pretreatment of bacterial meningitis (treatment prior to lumbar puncture) is also employed in a significant number of childhood cases of bacterial meningitis, and is known to affect cerebrospinal fluid glucose and protein levels (Nigrovic et al
In resource-poor countries, however, Hib is a major pathogen still affecting children. Bacterial meningitis is especially toxic in Africa, and remains an important source of mortality among African children (Roca et al
The bacteria cause a significant threat to the central nervous system due to the poor ability of the cerebrospinal fluid to respond to bacterial infection. Inadequate presence of immunoglobulins and other immune molecules limits the innate elimination of bacteria from the cerebrospinal fluid (Yogev et al
S. there are approximately 4000 cases of bacterial meningitis per year, 500 of which result in death (Thigpen et al