Cefotaxime vs. Conventional therapy for the treatment of bacterial meningitis of infants and children

C. M. Odio, I. Faingezicht, J. L. Salas, J. Guevara, E. Mohs, G. H. McCracken

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

61 Scopus citations

Abstract

Eighty-five infants and children were prospectively randomized to receive cefotaxime or ampicillin and chloramphenicol for therapy of bacterial meningitis. The two therapy groups of patients were comparable as to sex, age, clinical status on admission, prior administration of antibiotics and etiology. Three infants (7%) died in each therapy group. Mean number of days of positive cerebrospinal fluid cultures, time to defervescence and duration of treatment and of hospital stay and complications developing during treatment were similar for the two treatment regimens. Median cerebrospinal fluid bactericidal titers against the patients’ pathogens in cefotaxime-treated patients (1:64) were larger than those in patients who received conventional therapy (1:8). Mild to moderate motor sequelae were more frequent in those given conventional therapy at the time of discharge only, and not at 4 months or longer of follow-up. We conclude that cefotaxime has similar efficacy when compared with conventional therapy for the management of bacterial meningitis in pediatric patients.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)402-407
Number of pages6
JournalPediatric infectious disease
Volume5
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1986

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Microbiology (medical)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Cefotaxime vs. Conventional therapy for the treatment of bacterial meningitis of infants and children'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this