Cerebral abscess in the under 6 month age group.

Cerebral abscess is rare in children under 6 months of age but is associated with high mortality and morbidity. We report the 12 cases admitted to this hospital in the past 20 years and review the published reports on cerebral abscess in infancy and childhood. Although mortality associated with cerebral abscess in infancy has improved, morbidity is still high. We recommend that all infants aged under 6 months presenting with bacterial meningitis have a computed tomogram or ultrasound examination to exclude cerebral abscess and hydrocephalus.