Diagnosis and treatment of neonatal bacterial meningitis: integrative review

Abstract

Objective: Understand the pathology and management of neonatal bacterial meningitis, addressing diagnosis and treatment. Methods: An integrative literature review was carried out, following the PICO strategy (population, intervention/exposure, comparator and outcome), with a search in databases such as PubMed and Portal Capes. Observational studies from the last 10 years related to the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial meningitis in neonates were included. Result: The main results highlighted the importance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis in diagnosis, the appropriate choice of antibiotics such as ceftriaxone, and advanced diagnostic methods for early identification of the disease. Furthermore, infectious agents associated with meningitis and effective therapeutic strategies were discussed. Conclusion: A multidisciplinary approach, simple clinical indicators, CSF analysis and appropriate antibiotic treatment are crucial for an accurate diagnosis and effective management of neonatal bacterial meningitis. It is necessary to continue research and development of new technologies to improve the management of this critical condition, especially in regions with limited resources, aiming to improve clinical outcomes and quality of life for patients.