Meningitis

Question 1

Neonates (0–28 d)

Most Common Organisms

Answer 1

Group B Streptococcus, Escherichia coli

Herpes simplex virus type 2 in infected mothers

Question 2

Neonates (0–28 d) Treatment

Answer 2

Ampicillin 100 milligrams/kg every 8 h (age <7 d) or 75 milligrams every 6 h (age 7–28 d)
AND
Gentamicin 4 milligrams/kg every 24 h

If herpes suspected, add acyclovir 20 milligrams/kg every 8 h

Question 3

Young infants (28–90 d)

Most Common Organisms

Answer 3

Group B Streptococcus, gram-negative bacilli

Question 4

Young infants (28–90 d)

Treatment

Answer 4

Ampicillin 100 milligrams/kg every 6 h AND
Gentamicin 2.5 milligrams/kg every 8 h OR
Cefotaxime 100 milligrams/kg every 8 h

Question 5

Older infants (>3 months) and children

Most Common Organisms

Answer 5

S. pneumoniae, N. meningitidis, H. influenzae type b

Question 6

Older infants (>3 months) and children

Treatment

Answer 6

Vancomycin 15 milligrams/kg every 6 h AND
Ceftriaxone* 50 milligrams/kg every 12 h OR
Cefotaxime† 100 milligrams/kg every 8 h