Management of bacterial meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia in children and young people: summary of NICE guidance

Bacterial meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia in children and young people are associated with considerable mortality and morbidity. Case fatality rates vary according to the causative organism and the age of the child or young person. In the United Kingdom they range from 2% to 11% and are especially high (about 10%) in neonates (children younger than 28 days). Survivors of bacterial meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia may experience serious long term morbidities (box 1). This article summarises the most recent recommendations from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) on the management of bacterial meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia in children and young people aged under 16 years in primary and secondary care.1 #### Box 1 Long term morbidities associated with bacterial meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia NICE recommendations are based on systematic reviews of best available evidence and explicit consideration of cost effectiveness. When minimal evidence is available, recommendations are based on the Guideline Development Group’s experience and opinion of what constitutes good practice. Evidence levels for the recommendations are given in italic in square brackets. ### Symptoms and signs of bacterial meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia View this table: Symptoms and signs of bacterial meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia