[Course and prognosis of acute bacterial meningitis in infancy in relation to age and individual disposition (author's transl)].

Bacterial meningitis should in principle be easily accessible to chemotherapy. The results of treatment cannot, however, be regarded at all optimistically although in recent years the therapy has brought an improvement in prognosis. Astonishingly, the therapeutic recommendations in common use even today are already 20 years old, so that the more favorable treatment results must be attributed to an earlier and more accurate diagnosis. The neurological damage following survival of meningitis is considerable, in particular, capacity to remember and powers of concentration remain impaired. Examination of these patients before school and observation during their schooldays is therefore essential.