Neonatal Escherichia Coli Meningitis, Complications, And Neurological Outcome

Neonatal bacterial meningitis represents a major cause of mortality and morbidity in newborns worldwide. It leads to immediate and long-term neurological complications. We report a case of a term newborn with an unremarkable pregnancy and delivery, who was admitted to our neonatal ward on the fifth day of life for fever. Cerebrospinal fluid culture was positive for Escherichia coli. The infant had neurological deterioration and continued fever despite adequate antibiotic therapy. Brain MRI showed multiple subdural abscesses with ventriculitis. Antibiotic therapy was maintained for 90 days with total resolution of the abscesses. The child has a normal physical examination and appropriate psychomotor development at 9 months of age.