paediatric meningitis

Question 1

neisseria meningitiids

Answer 1

gram negative diplococcus

commonly known as meningooccus

Question 2

meningococcal septicaemia

Answer 2

meningoccal infection in bloodstream

cause of classic non-blanching rash

Question 3

most common causes bacterial meningitis

Answer 3

meningococcus
pneumococcus

in neonates - GBS

Question 4

when is LP indicated

Answer 4

<1mo with fever
1-3mo with fever and unwell
<1yr with fever and other signs serious illness

Question 5

Kernig’s test

Answer 5

straighten knee with hip flexed 90

spinal pain or resistance to movement if meningitis

Question 6

brudzinski’s test

Answer 6

lift head and neck of bed bringing chin to chest

+ if they flex their hips and knees

Question 7

Mx bacterial meningitis: in community

Answer 7

urgent IM benzylpenicillin before hospital transfer

Question 8

Mx bacterial meningitis - in hospital

Answer 8

blood culture and LP before anitib

< 3mo - cefotaxime + amoxicillin
>3mo -ceftriaxone

streroids

Question 9

most common causes viral meningitis

Answer 9

HSV
enterovirus
VZV

Question 10

LP findings - bacterial

Answer 10

cloudy appearance
high protein 
low glc
high WCC
culture shows bacteria

Question 11

LP findings - viral

Answer 11

cleat appearance
protein normal or slight raised
Glc normal 
high WCC
negative bacterial culture

Question 12

complications

Answer 12

hearing loss
seizures + epilepsy 
cognitive impairment
memory loss
cerebral palsy