A primary care physician’s approach to a child with meningitis

Abstract

Background: Paediatric meningitis remains a common cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in developing countries. In children the peak age for meningitis is six to 12 months old, with 90% of cases occurring in children younger than five years. It is imperative that a primary healthcare physician be aware of and is capable of managing this life-threatening condition as most caregivers first present to a primary healthcare physician with their sick child.