children s health issues
Meningitis in Children
Diagnosis of Meningitis in Children
Spinal tap Blood and urine tests Sometimes imaging tests A doctor diagnoses bacterial meningitis by removing a sample of cerebrospinal fluid obtained through a procedure called a Spinal Tap (lumbar puncture). The fluid is analyzed, and any bacteria in that sample are examined and grown ( Sometimes a spinal tap cannot be done because the child has signs of increased pressure on the brain, a brain injury, or a bleeding disorder. In these instances, doctors also do blood cultures to look for bacteria in the bloodstream. These children will get a spinal tap as soon as it is safe to do it. Other blood tests and urine tests ( Urinalysis and Urine Culture ) are also done. Ultrasonography and, more often, 