Bacterial meningoencephalitis and its complications: report of 2 cases in pediatric patients

Bacterial meningitis is a potentially serious infection with a 100% fatality rate if untreated. The main etiological agents between 2 months and 2 years are Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis. This case report presents two previously healthy infants under one year old, with bacterial meningoencephalitis treated at a tertiary pediatric hospital in Paraná, which complicated with subdural empyema and seizures. The research was submitted to the Human Research Ethics Committee and approved under approval number 79898824.3.0000.0097. Analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid isolated pneumococcus in the first patient and meningococcus and herpes virus in the second one. Both received broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy for a long period and underwent surgical drainage with subsequent external ventricular bypass. Subdural effusion is present in 20% to 39% of children with bacterial meningitis, representing one of the main short-term complications of this infection. It frequently appears associated with seizures, present in the two patients reported. Nowadays, the best way to prevent short and long-term complications is through vaccination.