Purulent meningitis in children

Purulent meningitis is a disease that is very dangerous for any child. In case of delayed diagnosis and delayed treatment, mortality increases many times over.

A particularly unfavorable and dangerous course of the disease is observed in newborns and children in the first months of life.

The most common reasons

Inflammation of the soft lining of the brain and spinal cord is called meningitis. Once in a child's body, pathogenic bacteria quickly provoke inflammation and the appearance of symptoms unfavorable for life.

If the treatment is not timely, it can even lead to the child's disability or death.

The most common purulent forms of the disease are:

Meningococcal. It is caused by various types of meningococci. They are capable of causing inflammation in about 60% of cases. In its structure, bacteria have a protective capsule that reliably protects them from the harmful effects of immune cells. The protective cells of the immune system are simply not able to destroy the dense membrane of microbes. This contributes to the rapid and unimpeded reproduction of microorganisms.
Pnemococcal form. Sources of infection are pneumococci. This form is less common than meningococcal. However, it also manifests itself as a purulent process. Infection with pneumococcal disease occurs in every tenth child with meningitis.
Hemophilic form. It occurs when infected with a hemophilic rod of type B. Quite often it is recorded in young children - in about 25% of cases. The bacterial agent has a pronounced toxic effect on the child's body. The rapid spread through the blood vessels contributes to the rapid development of the process and the onset of inflammation.

Most often, all pathogenic microorganisms are spread through the blood. Some subtypes of bacteria can spread quickly enough through the lymphatic system, as well as through the perineural space.

In some cases, a contact method of infection can occur. In this case, the focus of primary inflammation is in the immediate vicinity of the spinal cord or brain.

The pathogen, as a rule, enters the child's body from a patient or a carrier of the infection. In the case of purulent meningitis, a sick person becomes it. It can be both an adult and a child. It is especially worth noting that it is often noted that simply the carrier is. In such cases, a person does not even know that he is a carrier of a dangerous infection. Due to a good immune response, he does not develop clinical symptoms of the disease. Such a carrier remains infectious for a long time.

Outbreaks of the disease are often characteristic of crowded groups. The causative agents of meningitis remain viable in the environment for a long time. Even disinfection and treatment does not guarantee absolute sanitation.

Children can be infected by airborne droplets. Disease-causing bacteria from a sick person or a carrier to the healthy mucous membranes of the child, causing an inflammatory process. Meningitis often develops rapidly. In more rare cases, you can also get infected when using shared cutlery or utensils. Together with the remnants of saliva, the microbe enters the mucous membranes of the oral cavity.

Usually, the human body is fairly resistant to the bacterial agents that cause meningitis. However, with a decrease in local immunity and individual characteristics, infection and development of the disease can occur.

The main symptoms

The main clinical manifestations of purulent primary meningitis are very unfavorable. They greatly affect the well-being of the baby.

Failure to provide medical care in a timely manner can significantly worsen the prognosis for life and recovery.

All aspects of such a disease as purulent meningitis will be considered and told by Dr. Komarovsky in the next video.

The most common symptoms include:

A swift and sharp start. The disease develops with lightning speed. During the first day, the body temperature rises to 38-39 degrees. In more severe cases, an increase up to 39.5-40 is characteristic. This symptom is quite specific and persistent. Even despite taking paracetamol or other antipyretic drugs, the child's body temperature remains very high and decreases poorly.
Severe headache without a clear epicenter. With any turn of the head or change in body position, the pain increases significantly. The spread of pain along the back of the neck is also noted. When exposed to strong and intense sounds or light, the pain increases.
Severe nausea, unrelated to food intake. Against the background of severe headache, vomiting may even occur. It is also an important specific symptom of the disease. Vomiting usually occurs spontaneously. Even the use of drugs does not always lead to the elimination of severe nausea.

Eyes sore, worse in bright light. When trying to examine objects that are away from the center, the painful syndrome intensifies. The kid does not tolerate the hit of bright light on the eyes.

Rash on the body. The most common symptom for meningococcal infection. It is most often found on the sides of the body, in the lower abdomen, and also in the mouth. The rash spreads to the legs and feet, as well as the thighs and buttocks. Elements can be of different diameters, merge with each other. The appearance of a rash is a very unfavorable sign of the disease.
Convulsions and meningeal symptoms. Most often, when the legs are pulled to the body, the tension on the back of the neck increases and the headache increases. This is a positive meningeal sign and indicates the presence of meningitis.
Manifestations of intoxication syndrome. The child's well-being is greatly impaired. Toddlers of an early age are asking for more hands. Children become lethargic, lethargic, refuse to eat and feed. Against the background of high temperature and fever, babies feel severe drowsiness.
In severe forms of the disease, there may be trembling hands and feet, as well as severe convulsions. This is an extremely unfavorable sign of the disease. In these situations, emergency qualified medical care is required in an intensive care unit.

Consequences and complications of purulent meningitis

Inflammation of the membranes of the spinal cord and brain is one of the most dangerous conditions for a child's body. Even with the provision of medical care, weakened babies can experience numerous complications. Some of them can even be fatal.

In severe forms of the course of the disease, cerebral edema may occur. This condition is very dangerous. During this process, clinical death can occur. Only timely delivery of droppers with electrolyte solutions will help prevent this formidable complication.

Also, babies with purulent meningitis may develop the following adverse effects of the disease:

Distribution throughout the body and the development of sepsis.
With the depletion of the body's reserve, the development of multiple organ failure. The most commonly damaged kidneys and heart.
The spread of microorganisms to the inner membranes of the heart and the development of endocarditis. In this case, the conduction of internal cardiac impulses is disrupted. Various types of life-threatening arrhythmias can occur.
Flow of purulent masses under the vault of the skull and the development of empyema.
Prolonged seizure activity can lead to episyndrome.
In the most severe case of the course of the disease, a coma appears.

Treatment

Disease therapy should be carried out as early as possible! Treatment of purulent meningitis requires a mandatory hospitalization of the child in a hospital.

In case of a critical condition, the baby is hospitalized in the intensive care unit. There he is given the necessary intravenous injections and infusions of various medicines.

If a bacterium has become the causative agent of the disease, antibiotic therapy is mandatory. Serious doses of antibiotics are prescribed. This is a vital prerequisite for a successful cure of the disease.

Before prescribing an antibacterial drug, doctors determine the causative agent of the disease. Currently, there are many different rapid tests to identify the cause of a purulent disease.

Treatment should be carried out strictly in a hospital. Meningitis can be very dangerous and even fatal. Timely treatment will help prevent complications of the disease and promote recovery.