Paediatric

Meningitis: Post neurosurgical infection

Consult Paediatric ID.

Modify treatment following susceptibility results.

Preferred including non-severe penicillin allergy

ceftriaxone 100mg/kg (Max 4g) iv OD

AND metronidazole iv (see dosing table below) if primary surgery penetrated sinuses

AND vancomycin iv 

 

metronidazole IV dosing information:

Age

metronidazole IV dose

1 month up to 2 months

Loading dose 15 mg/kg (Max 500mg) iv, then (after 8 hours) 7.5 mg/kg (Max 500mg) iv TDS

2 months to 17 years

7.5mg/kg (max 500mg) iv TDS

Alternative

For severe penicillin allergy

ciprofloxacin* 10mg/kg (Max 400mg) iv TDS  

AND metronidazole iv (see dosing table below) if primary surgery penetrated sinuses

AND vancomycin iv

 

metronidazole IV dosing information:

Age

metronidazole IV dose

1 month up to 2 months

Loading dose 15 mg/kg (Max 500mg) iv, then (after 8 hours) 7.5 mg/kg (Max 500mg) iv TDS

2 months to 17 years

7.5mg/kg (Max 500mg) iv TDS

 

* Note: Ciprofloxacin may induce convulsions in patients with or without a history of convulsions – use with caution

Also Note: If patient is prescribed ciprofloxacin ensure that the patient is given the Fluoroquinolone MHRA patient information leaflet. 

For more information about MHRA safety alerts and patient or carer counselling See Fluoroquinolone antibiotics -  paediatric position statement

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 01 Dec 2023

Author(s): AMST.

Approved By: MMTC