title: Intraventricular chemotherapy in neonatal meningitis.
abstract: All of 16 infants with neonatal meningitis treated during a 30-month period were found to have accompanying ventriculitis at the time of the initial ventricular puncture. Fifteen of these infants were caused by gramm-negative organisms. All infants received antibiotics systemically and intraventricularly via an implanted ventriculostomy reservoir or by direct ventricular injection. Antibiotic concentrations within the ventricular fluid were monitored during chemotherapy; the complications encountered during treatment are discussed. Fifteen infants survived the infection; of these, seven infants were normal at follow-up examinations. In our experience intraventricular chemotherapy as an adjunct to systemic administration of antibiotics has greatly reduced the mortality rate in neonatal meningitis.
mesh_terms: D000667:Ampicillin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000601:surgery; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005417:Flavobacterium; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012293:Rifampin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005839:Gentamicins; D000667:Ampicillin; D012293:Rifampin