CNS Infections (S4 Ep. 35)

Infections in the central nervous system can be very dangerous in children, so prompt recognition and treatment is important to avoid morbidity and mortality.  A review of various etiologies of CNS infections and their workup yields a valuable discussion on a pearl of wisdom that any provider needs to understand. References American Academy of Pediatrics. (2018). Meningococcal infections. In Kimberlin, D.W., Brady, M.T., Jackson, M.A., & Long, S.S. Red Book (31st ed., pp. 550-561). American Academy of Pediatrics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Immunization schedules. Retrieved online from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html Pantell, R.H., Roberts, K.B., Adams, W.G., Dreyer, B.P., Kupperman, N., O’Leary, S.T., Okechukwu, K… & The Subcommittee on Febrile Infants. (2021). Evaluation and management of well-appearing febrile infants 8-60 days old. Pediatrics, 148(2), p. 1-40. doi: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2021-052228 Roy, A.G., Panicker, J., & Kumar, A. (2014). Acute CNS infections. Amrita Journal of Medicine, 10(2), p. 1-44. Swanson, D. (2015). Meningitis. Pediatrics in Review, 36(12), p. 514-526. doi: 10.1542/pir.36-12-514