Amoxycillin injection in the treatment of pyogenic meningitis in children

An open trial of the use of amoxycillin injection in the treatment of pyogenic meningitis in children showed similar results to previous trials here of penicillin-chloramphenicol combinations. It is felt that, in developing countries at least, treatment of pyogenic meningitis in children should be with the latter combination, but where rapid and accurate bacteriology is available amoxycillin may be valuable non-toxic alternative to chloramphenicol with similar activity to ampicillin.

Empyema in children in tropics

Thirty-six cases of empyema were diagnosed in children over a two year period, giving an overall incidence of 0.11% of the total hospital admissions. Many of them had measles bronchopneumonia and most were malnourished. 16 children had penicillin resistant staphylococcal infection. 29 of them were treated with closed tube drainage. Thirteen died during the course of treatment, the majority within three days of admission. The rest were followed up over a period of up to six months and showed good recovery. Six of these patients developed pneumothorax during the course of treatment. Various combinations of Ampicillin, Cloxacillin, Gentamycin and Cotrimoxazole parenterally were used. Supportive treatment with blood transfusion was found to be beneficial.

Intra- thecal antitetanus serum in the management of tetanus neonatorum

Eleven neonates have treated with intra-thecal antitetanus serum in addition to other standard measures. Five survived. The results were judged promising.