Neonatal gram negative pyogenic meningitis: therapeutic evaluation

Thirty babies with gram negative neonatal pyogenic meningitis were studied for therapeutic evaluation of various drug combinations. Group I received ampicillin and gentamycin and group II received ampicillin with chloramphenicol all intravenously. These drugs were continued for 2 wk after bacteriological cure. Group III include those from group I and II who did not show bacteriological cure even after 7 days of therapy and were given sulphamethoxazole—trimethoprim preparation intravenously for 3 to 4 days and continued orally for another 2 wk. Mortality was 75 per cent (9 cases) in group I compared to 16·6 percent (9 cases) in group II. Group III children developed more complications like cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus.