Effectiveness of the association of dexamethasone with antibiotic therapy in pediatric patients with bacterial meningitis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of the association of corticosteroids and the standard treatment of bacterial meningitis in pediatric patients.


METHODS
A systematic review of the literature was conducted through the MEDLINE database. Only randomized controlled trials comparing dexamethasone with placebo in the treatment of pediatric patients with bacterial meningitis were included.


RESULTS
Eight articles met the inclusion criteria and were selected for analysis. There were no difference in mortality (p = 0.86), and incidence of neurological (p = 0.41) and auditory (p = 0.48) sequelae between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
There are no benefits in associating corticosteroids with the standard treatment of bacterial meningitis in pediatric patients.
Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), SP, Brazil. 　wmbernardo@usp.com
Wanderley Marques
WM
Bernardo
Felipe Toyama
FT
Aires
Fernando Pereira de
FP
Sá
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000379:methods; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone