[Experience with ventriculitis at a neonatology department].
OBJECTIVE
To study the characteristics, treatment and follow-up of patients with ventriculitis in our neonatal unit.


METHODS
Retrospective study of patients diagnosed with ventriculitis from January 1990 to December 1997. Diagnostic criteria were the identification of any bacteria in the ventricular fluid and pleocytosis (> or = 100 leukocytes per microl). Personal history, clinical and analytical findings and evolution after diagnosis were studied.


RESULTS
We recorded ten cases of ventriculitis in nine patients. Six of them occurred as a complication of previous meningitis and four occurred after neurosurgical treatment. The mean age at diagnosis was of 38.8 days (range 8-130), and mean gestational age was 29.4 weeks (range 25-38). Clinical and ventricular fluid anomalies were seen in six cases and in four the diagnosis was made at autopsy. Treatment was systemic antibiotics. In two cases intraventricular antibiotics were added. Six patients died, ventriculitis being the direct cause of death in five. Of the three survivors, one had mental retardation and cerebral palsy and the other two had minor disabilities.


CONCLUSIONS
During the neonatal period, a high degree of clinical suspicion and techniques for an early diagnosis and treatment are needed for ventriculitis.
Nieto Del Rincón
N
N
Servicio de Neonatología, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid.
de Alba Romero
C
C
Egea Nadal
P
P
Mateos Beato
F
F
Peralta Ibáñez
M L
ML
Ramos Amador
J T
JT
Miralles Molina
M
M
Gómez del Castillo
E
E
D002552:Cerebral Ventricles; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies