Pneumococcus meningitis in the newborn

A Survey of Recent Developments in the Treatment of Pneumococcal Meningitis

“…Alexander and Ellis (1942) and Alexander in 1943, commenting on the diagnostic difficulties in infants under seven months, drew attention to the importance of a slight increase in tension of the fontanelle, alternating drowsiness and irritability, a high pitched cry, and a vacant look in the eyes, especially when any of these are combined with fever. Hogg and Bradley (1945) remark that the presenting symptom may be vomiting, diarrhoea, irritability, otitis media, or pyrexia of unknown cause, while the occurrence 29 of convulsions with any of these strongly suggests meningeal involvement. Even in pre-chemotherapeutic days the difficulties in making this diagnosis were pointed out by Koplik (1916) and Cooperstock (1938).…”