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Tuberculous Meningitis in Children: a Review Article

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases (I Brook, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) in children may mimic bacterial meningitis in the early stages. Being a subacute illness, early symptoms may be missed leading to clinical deterioration and late presentation. This review helps to highlight the clinical manifestations, newer diagnostic tests, and newer treatment guidelines of TBM in children.

Recent Findings

Newer tests like nuclei acid amplification tests (NAATs), line probe assays (LPAs), MGIT, antigen detection, and biomarkers are now available on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to aid diagnosis to help provide early management and prevent complications. Recent studies have helped optimize the treatment of TBM to prevent long-term neurological sequelae. Co-infection with HIV requires prompt treatment with anti-tubercular drugs and combination antiretroviral therapy.

Summary

With early diagnosis and prompt treatment, the risk of death can be reduced and neurological outcome improved.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Pediatric TB Clinic, B J Wadia Hospital for Children, Mumbai, India

    Ira Shah

  2. Department of Pediatrics, K. J. Somaiya Medical College & Research Centre, Mumbai, India

    Noella Maria Delia Pereira

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  1. Ira Shah
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Correspondence to Ira Shah.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Pediatric Infectious Diseases

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Shah, I., Pereira, N.M.D. Tuberculous Meningitis in Children: a Review Article. Curr Infect Dis Rep 22, 11 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-020-0720-7

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