Neonatal Meningitis: How Complicated Can it be?

Neonatal meningitis, though uncommon, is one of the contributors to infant mortality and morbidity worldwide. It is mainly caused by group B streptococcus (GBS), Escherichia coli and other pathogens. The disease presents mild to moderate symptoms including fever, bulging fontanel, respiratory distress, among others. The disease is mainly diagnosed through cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture confirmation. If not timely treated, the disease may progress to devastating complications like seizures, ventriculitis, brain abscess, cerebral infarction, as well as long term neurological defects like hearing loss. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are the primary choice of treatment, depending on the type of pathogen and intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis is vital to prevent neonatal meningitis. This review highlights the need for innovation of less invasive diagnostic tools as well as better preventive strategies like vaccination to avoid the severe complications that may ensue if treatment is not promptly initiated.