Chloramphenicol alone versus chloramphenicol plus penicillin for bacterial meningitis in children.

367 children with cerebrospinal-fluid findings suggestive of bacterial meningitis were randomised to receive either chloramphenicol alone by intramuscular injection, or chloramphenicol plus penicillin by intravenous injection. Sequential analysis showed no difference in mortality between the two treatments. 48 (26%) of the 183 children in the chloramphenicol alone group died, and 49 (27%) of the 184 children in the chloramphenicol plus penicillin group died. In children with bacterial meningitis chloramphenicol alone given by intramuscular injection is as effective as chloramphenicol plus penicillin given intravenously.