title: Spinal anaesthesia and meningitis in former preterm infants: cause-effect?
abstract: Meningitis associated with spinal anaesthesia is a rare but well-known complication. We report on a case of fatal bacterial meningitis following spinal anaesthesia in a former preterm infant. The aetiology of this meningitis could not be established. Former preterm infants represent a high-risk population because of their susceptibility to group B streptococcal meningitis at this age as documented in a second case. Therefore we discuss whether meningitis was consequential or coincidental with spinal anaesthesia and could have been prevented by more comprehensive preoperative laboratory screening or prophylactic antibiotics.
mesh_terms: D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000209:etiology*; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae; D013748:Tetracaine / Q000008:administration & dosage