treatment

Last reviewed 01/2018

Treatment of neonatal meningitis is with high-dose penicillin which is used to cover the possibility of Group B streptococcal meningitis, and an aminoglycoside added to cover gram negatives. If listeria is suspected then ampicillin in the antibiotic of choice. The treatment regimen must be continued for three weeks.

There should be monitoring with ultrasound to identify any developing hydrocephalus, and in addition to this there should be neurodevelopmental and audiology follow up - hearing should be tested one month after discharge, with auditory evoked potentials if necessary.