investigations
Last reviewed 01/2018
Investigations in suspected neonatal meningitis include:
- lumbar puncture, with gram staining, culture and latex agglutination of the CSF
- blood culture
- urine culture
- swabs for microbiology
- full blood count, coagulation
- biochemistry of blood and urine
- monitoring for hypoglycaemia, hyponatraemia and hypocalcaemia
- head circumference should be measured at diagnosis and then daily throughout admission. Any rapid growth is an indication for cranial ultrasound to detect hydrocephalus.