[20 years (1960-1980) of bacterial meningitis in childhood. II. Therapy and diagnosis].

In this article we review the global therapy for purulent meningitis in childhood and present personal data derived from a twenty year survey study (1960 to 1980). We recommend the prompt use of adequate antibiotics at correct doses largely following the intravenous pathway in order to achieve active antimicrobial levels in the cerebrospinal fluid. On the basis of our experience we favour a more large use of either systemic chloramphenicol or intrathecal even in the neonatal period. Moreover, we think glucose infusions should be employed with great caution due to worsening of metabolism (lactate accumulation) and perfusion in the cerebral tissue.