Saturday, February 16, 2013

Meningococcal meningitis and corticosteroids

Brust JCM.  Meningococcal meningitis, dexamethasone and Class III evidence(editorial) Neurology 2012; 79: 1528-9.

The most recent Cochran review shows a benefit of adjunctive dexamthasone to mortality in Streptococcalbut not N meningitidis meningitis with benefits to adults and children in high but not low income countries ( See Brouwer MC et al, 2010).  Significantly, however, dexamethasone does no harm.  Recommendation is .6 mg/kg.day for four days.  It should be given prior to or with the first dose of antibiotic before lysis occurs.  In practice, steroids rarely are stopped when Neiss men is identified as the organism, but that does not harm the patient.

No comments: