Despite findings that corticosteroids dramatically reduce mortality in adults hospitalised with bacterial meningitis, a new study has found that the steroids do not provide a benefit in survival or reduced hospital stays with children suffering from the condition.

Samir Shah, an infectious diseases specialist from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and her team analysed the medical records of 2,780 children with bacterial meningitis at 27 hospitals from 2001 to 2006.

They found approximately nine per cent, or 248, of the children studied received corticosteroids, with steroid use doubling during the study period from under six per cent of children in 2001 to 12 per cent in 2006.

Results published in the May 7th issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association show there was no significant difference in mortality nor in time to hospital discharge between children who received corticosteroids and those who did not.

Overall, unadjusted mortality rates were six per cent among children receiving corticosteroids, versus four per cent among those not receiving them.

"Because of the demonstrated benefits of these drugs in adults, physicians have increasingly been using corticosteroids in children with bacterial meningitis," said Dr Shah.

"This study reminds us again that children are not just small adults. We need to consider whether the problems associated with corticosteroid use, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, outweigh any potential benefits."

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• ANCOTIL Solution for Infusion - 47.03%
  ... meningitis and severe systemic candidiasis it is recommended that Ancotil should be given in combination with amphotericin-B. Amphotericin-B may also be given in combination with Ancotil in severe or long-standing infections due to other organisms. In cases of cryptococcal meningitis, where toxicity ...
  
  
• FLOXAPEN Syrup - 46.1%
  ... media and externa Tonsillitis Quinsy Other infections caused by Floxapen-sensitive organisms: Osteomyelitis Urinary tract infection Enteritis Meningitis Endocarditis Septicaemia Floxapen is also indicated for use as a prophylactic agent during major surgical procedures when appropriate; for example ...
  
  
• PREVENAR SUSPENSION FOR INJECTION - 46.1%
  Active immunisation against invasive disease (including sepsis, meningitis, bacteraemic pneumonia, bacteraemia) caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F and 23F in: - infants and young children from 2 months of age to 2 years of age - previously unvaccinated children aged ...
  
  
• DIFLUCAN - 46.1%
  Mucosal candidiasis, cryptococcosis and treatment and prevention of relapse of cryptococcal meningitis in patients with AIDS ...
  
  
• MENGIVAC (A+C) - 46.1%
  Active immunisation against Types A and C meningitis ...
  
  
• AC VAX - 46.1%
  Active immunisation against Types A and C meningitis ...