Sandbox/v11

	Meningitis Main Page
Patient Information
Overview
Causes
Classification Viral Meningitis Bacterial Meningitis Fungal Meningitis
Differential Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Treatment

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]

Medical Therapy

Adjunctive Dexamethasone (0.15 mg/kg IV q6h for 2—4 days) is recommended for both children and adult patients with acute bacterial meningitis.

Newborn, Age <1 Week
Preferred Regimen
▸ Ampicillin 50 mg/kg IV q8h
AND
▸ Cefotaxime 100—150 mg/kg/day IV q8—12h
Alternative Regimen
▸ Ampicillin 50 mg/kg IV q8h
AND
▸ Gentamicin 2.5 mg/kg IV q12h
Newborn, Age 1—4 Weeks
Preferred Regimen
▸ Ampicillin 200 mg/kg/day IV q6—8h
AND
▸ Cefotaxime 150—200 mg/kg/day IV q6—8h
Alternative Regimen
▸ Ampicillin 200 mg/kg/day IV q6—8h
AND
▸ Gentamicin 2.5 mg/kg IV q8h OR ▸ Tobramycin 2.5 mg/kg IV q8h OR ▸ Amikacin 10 mg/kg IV q8h
Infant and Children^†
Preferred Regimen
▸ Vancomycin 15 mg/kg IV q6h to achieve serum trough concentrations of 15–20 μg/mL
AND
▸ Cefotaxime 225—300 mg/kg/day IV q6–8h OR ▸ Ceftriaxone 80—100 mg/kg/day IV q12–24h

Adult, Age <50 Years^†
Preferred Regimen
▸ Vancomycin 30–60 mg/kg/day IV q8–12h to achieve serum trough concentrations of 15–20 μg/mL
AND
▸ Cefotaxime 8–12 g/day IV q4–6h OR ▸ Ceftriaxone 2 g IV q12h
Adult, Age >50 Years
Preferred Regimen
▸ Vancomycin 30–60 mg/kg/day IV q8–12h
AND
▸ Ampicillin 2 g IV q4h
AND
▸ Cefotaxime 8–12 g/day IV q4–6h OR ▸ Ceftriaxone 2 g IV q12h
Immunocompromised
Preferred Regimen
▸ Vancomycin 30–60 mg/kg/day IV q8–12h
AND
▸ Ampicillin 2 g IV q4h
AND
▸ Cefepime 2 g IV q8h OR ▸ Meropenem 2 g IV q8h
Recurrent
Preferred Regimen
▸ Vancomycin 30—60 mg/kg/day IV q8–12h
AND
▸ Cefotaxime 8–12 g/day IV q4–6h OR ▸ Ceftriaxone 2 g IV q12h

^†Add Ampicillin 2 g IV q4h (50 mg/kg IV q6h for children) if meningitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes is also suspected.

Adapted from Advances in treatment of bacterial meningitis. Lancet. 2012;380(9854):1693-702.^[1]

↑ van de Beek, D.; Brouwer, MC.; Thwaites, GE.; Tunkel, AR. (2012). "Advances in treatment of bacterial meningitis". Lancet. 380 (9854): 1693–702. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61186-6. PMID 23141618. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)