Treatment of bacterial meningitis

The purpose of this report is to review the evidence for efficacy of the new cephalosporin compounds and to provide a basis for determining the most appropriate initial empiric regimen for treating bacterial meningitis in infants and children. For a more complete discussion concerning diagnosis and management of meningitis, the reader is referred to a recently published report by a task force appointed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This report, however, goes beyond that of the task force by indicating the new cephalosporins at first-line drugs for therapy and by recommending shorter duration of treatment for some patients with meningitis. This report will also address the issue of alternative treatment regimens that might facilitate more rapid discharge from the hospital, less costly management, and home care of some patients with meningitis.