Meningitis in Infants & Children Meningitis is a serious medical emergency particularly when it affects infants and children. It is a serious infection involving the brain and spinal cord. If suspected immediate medical check is necessary as delay in treatment can cause permanent damage to the brain. When infection is highly likely, treatment should be started promptly. Cause: Viruses and bacteria are the main causes for the infection. Viral meningitis is not as serious as bacterial meningitis. However it will be difficult to distinguish between the two. Therefore the child should be admitted, observed and investigated before bacterial meningitis can be ruled out. The bacteria that cause the infection are found in the nose and throat of 10 percent of the population. Sometimes they enter the blood stream and reach the brain. They can also spread from a sinus or ear infection. Coughing and sneezing is one other way it spreads. Bacterial infections cause the maximum damage and most fatalities are due to that. Bacteria that cause infection include Pneumococcus, Meningococcus, Haemophilus and Listeria. Among these pneumococcus is the commonest infection affecting infants and children. In infants it is more common during the first month than at any other time. Meningococcus more often affects teenagers and young adults. Pathology: Infection reaches the covering of the brain and spinal cord through the blood stream. The toxins that are released during the infection cause Brain damage. Symptoms & Signs: It is often difficult to distinguish between ordinary flu and meningitis in the early stages. Cold and cough usually accompanies influenza. In meningitis symptoms and signs appear much worse and the mother will usually suspect that there is something seriously wrong. Neck stiffness, severe headache, aversion to bright light and sickness are more often seen in meningitis. Symptoms are more pronounced in infants and young children. Meningitis remains a devastating disease in new born infants Symptoms & Signs in Infants: Constantly crying at a high pitch Not feeding properly Lethargic and often drowsy Sometimes cough and difficulty breathing T he soft spot on top of the head (Fontanelle) may be tense or bulging Fever may not always be present when the child is under 3 months Generalised rash or tiny red spots Red spots are difficult to see on a dark skin. It will be more easily seen on the palm and sole of that child. Symptoms & Signs in Older Children: ( In addition to the above) Sudden high fever with cold hands and feet Headache Stiff Neck Nausea and Vomiting Sensitive to bright light (Photophobia) Skin Rashes Fits at later stages. Not all symptoms will be present in every child but once infection gets in to the system the child would become seriously ill rapidly.