Acute inflammation of the meninges, the membranes lining the brain and spinal cord
The cause can be infectious or non-infectious (e.g. associated with autoimmunity)
Neonates:
Older children:
Ideally before starting antibiotic treatment:
CSF findings suggestive of bacterial etiology:
Consider doing a head CT scan before doing the lumbar puncture in patients with focal neurological signs, decreased level of consciousness/coma or a history of central nervous system disease or recent seizures (<1 week)
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