Abstract
To determine the association of lumbar puncture performed during bacteremia with subsequent meningitis, we reviewed records of 253 episodes of bacteremia occurring from Sept. 1971 to Dec. 1980. Children had blood drawn for culture and were subsequently identified as having bacteremia: S. pneumoniae (201), H. influenzae (49), N. meningitidis (3). LP was performed at initial visit in 36; no child had meningitis at this time. After culture(s) 123 bacteremic children received no antibiotics initially (I), and 130 with an identified focus such as otitis or pneumonia received oral antibiotics initially (II). Meningitis later developed in 11:
There is a significant association with LP performed during bacteremia and later development of bacterial meningitis. The association is strongest for children whose bacteremia was due to H. influenzae. These data do not show that the association is causal. Children who later developed meningitis may have been more ill at first visit and thus were selected for LP.
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Dashefsky, B., Teele, D., Rakusan, T. et al. 998 DEVELOPMENT OF MENINGITIS FOLLOWING LUMBAR PUNCTURE (LP) IN CHILDREN WITH BACTEREMIA. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 609 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01024
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01024