Effect of partial treatment on purulent meningitis.

Various clinical and laboratory parameters were used for comparing 49 previously untreated and 55 partially treated children with purulent meningitis. The percentage of cases having fever, convulsions, unconsciousness and bulging anterior fontanel was almost the same in both groups. There was no difference in the cellular response and protein content of the cerebrospinal fluid. A Gram smear was positive in 32.6% of untreated and in 47.2% of partially treated patients. Percentages for a positive CSF culture were 38.7 and 50.9%; for CSF sugar of less than 40 mg, 59.1 and 72.7% respectively. The case fatality rate was the same in both groups. These observations suggest that partial treatment neither masks clinical and laboratory findings nor affects the case fatality rate in purulent meningitis in children.