children s health issues
Bacterial Meningitis in Newborns
Diagnosis of Bacterial Meningitis in Newborns
Spinal tap Blood tests Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test Sometimes ultrasonography or computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain A doctor diagnoses bacterial meningitis by removing a sample of spinal fluid obtained through a procedure called a Spinal Tap (lumbar puncture). The fluid is analyzed, and if there are any bacteria in that sample, they are examined and grown ( Doctors may also do the Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on a sample of spinal fluid. The PCR test looks for the genetic material of the bacteria and enables doctors to rapidly identify the bacteria. A doctor may do an imaging test such as Ultrasonography or 