Summary
In children with bacterial meningitis, adjunctive dexamethasone appears to decrease the risk of developing secondary hearing loss and severe neurological sequelae. These effects appear to be strongest in cases where H. influenzae is the bacterial pathogen.
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ACEP Now: Vol 42 – No 07 – July 2023
Dr. Jones is assistant professor of pediatric emergency medicine at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.
Dr. Cantor is professor of emergency medicine and pediatrics, director of the pediatric emergency department, and medical director of the Central New York Regional Poison Control Center at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York.
References
- De Gaudio M, et al. Therapeutic management of bacterial meningitis in children: a systematic review and comparison of published guidelines from a European perspective. J Chemother. 2010;22(4):226-237.
- Oordt-Speets AM, et al. Global etiology of bacterial meningitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2018;13(6):e019877.
- Brouwer MC, et al. Corticosteroids for acute bacterial meningitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(9):CD004405.
- Wang Y, et al. Metaanalysis of adjunctive dexamethasone to improve clinical outcome of bacterial meningitis in children. Childs Nerv Syst. 2018;34(2): 217-223.
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