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Pediatric bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency that requires immediate management. Without prompt intervention and proper treatment, meningitis can progress to cause severe complications. The condition can also be fatal.
Medical providers must be alert to signs and symptoms that may be consistent with bacterial meningitis. Without this level of awareness, patients can suffer. It is up to doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals to do whatever they can to help the people in their care.
At The Haynes Firm, our legal team is dedicated to helping people who have been neglected by their medical providers and have not received the proper care. We are prepared to represent you if your child was harmed because of a doctor’s failure to properly manage pediatric bacterial meningitis. Contact us today to discuss the details of your case.
To schedule a free consultation with our attorneys, send us a message or call (423) 451-4999.
Causes of Pediatric Bacterial Meningitis
Meningitis occurs when the membranes of the brain and spinal cord become infected. This condition can cause severe complications, and may be fatal in some cases. Common causes of meningitis are E.coli, streptococci, listeria monocytogenes, streptococcus, pneumonia, haemophilus, and influenza. These illnesses can be transmitted just as they are in any case — through contact with a sick person, via infected food, or other sources. Although such diseases do not always result in meningitis, the condition can result if an infection reaches the spinal fluid and membranes.
Pediatric Bacterial Meningitis Symptoms and Complications
A patient who has meningitis may exhibit symptoms such as irritability, fever, headaches, sleepiness, confusion, and nausea. When such signs are not recognized and meningitis is not diagnosed, or is not properly treated, complications and more severe symptoms can result.
Neurologic complications occur in up to 35% of pediatric bacterial meningitis cases. Those complications may include hearing loss, seizures, motor problems, hydrocephalus, and many other cognitive and behavioral problems.
Pediatric Bacterial Meningitis Treatment
Advances in medicine, including vaccinations, have reduced the number of bacterial meningitis cases worldwide. Treatment of bacterial meningitis is treated based on the underlying organism that caused the condition — for example, the treatment for bacterial meningitis caused by pneumonia will differ from the treatment for bacterial meningitis caused by an E. coli infection.
In most cases, antibiotics are the most often used and most effective treatment for bacterial meningitis. Appropriate antibiotics should be initiated immediately. Patients may also require additional medications, respiratory support, and bed rest and home remedies to treat bacterial meningitis.
Failure to recognize the condition and delays in treatment often result in severe complications and mortality. It is the responsibility of doctors to not only identify the signs of pediatric bacterial meningitis, but also to identify the underlying cause and any risk factors the patient has, to ensure their treatment will be safe and effective. Medical professionals who fail to do this, whether because of lack of training, limited resources, or general negligence, must be held accountable for their actions.
We Are Available for FREE Consultations
The medical malpractice lawyers of the Haynes Firm have extensive experience handling cases involving pediatric emergencies such as pediatric bacterial meningitis. We understand the level of care that this serious condition requires to address, and are familiar with the professional and legal obligations that doctors have to address such conditions. This knowledge gives us valuable insight into these types of cases. Contact us to learn how we can apply this knowledge to your situation and help with your case.
Call our legal team at (423) 451-4999 or complete our contact form to schedule a FREE consultation and discuss your case.
