Meningitis in babies: causes, symptoms and prevention

Meningitis is a condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the brain (meninges). It should be noted that infants and toddlers are the groups most susceptible to meningitis. This is because more than 50 percent of meningitis cases occur in this group. Apart from the causes, what are the symptoms of meningitis in children, including babies? Listen to the explanation!

What are the symptoms of meningitis in children?

Quoted from Stanford Children's Health, the symptoms of meningitis in infants and children can vary depending on age and cause.

It should also be noted that the symptoms of meningitis in children at first do not look alarming.

Some children may just appear to have the flu, look tired, and be more fussy.

But after that, meningitis can develop suddenly and become serious quickly. Various symptoms will then appear.

The infection that causes meningitis usually starts in the respiratory tract. In children, after the flu he will experience infections of the sinuses and ears.

Common symptoms of meningitis in infants are:

• Became more cranky than usual
• Fever
• Get more sleep
• It is difficult to consume breast milk
• Cry louder
• There is a rash and purple patches
• Experiencing seizures and vomiting
• Raised soft spots on the head (fontanel)

Symptoms of meningitis in children over one year:

• Neck pain and back pain
• Headache
• It is easier to be sleepy
• Easy to fuss and quick to anger
• Fever and decreased level of consciousness
• Eyes sensitive to light (photophobia)
• Seizures, nausea and vomiting
• There is a rash and purplish patches
• The level of consciousness slowly decreases

If you have seen a fever in a child, he starts to look sick, and develops a rash, seek medical care immediately.

The diagnosis of meningitis in children is difficult because the symptoms of meningitis in children often appear suddenly and are similar to other diseases.

Other things that parents need to pay attention to regarding the symptoms of meningitis in children:

• Don't wait to see a doctor for a rash on your skin
• Not all children or babies experience all symptoms
• Infectious complications can occur with or without meningitis
• Trust your instincts to act fast

When the doctor suspects that your child has meningitis, the doctor will perform a CT scan, blood tests, urine tests, and lumbar puncture.

This is done to detect the presence of bacteria in the child's brain fluid.

This disease must be treated immediately, otherwise it will cause other health problems.

Some of the health problems that lead to complications due to meningitis are:

• Loss of hearing function
• Late development
• Brain damage
• Kidney failure
• Have seizures
• Dead

Causes of meningitis in children

The cause that causes meningitis symptoms to occur in children is an infection from bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.

This infection moves to the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). Meanwhile, CSF is a fluid that protects the brain and spinal cord.

Meningitis bacteria are usually more dangerous than viral meningitis.

However, if the symptoms of meningitis in children begin to appear, regardless of the cause, they still need medical care as soon as possible.

Several types of meningitis can spread, such as most infectious diseases in children. Namely through touching objects, coughing, sneezing from an infected person.

Some viruses can cause meningitis

• Non-polio enteroviruses. The virus is most commonly spread by contact with nasal discharge, saliva, or mucus.
• Influenza virus. The virus is spread through coughing, sneezing, and contact with people who are infected with influenza.
• Herpes simplex virus (HSV). A person can spread HSV to children and even newborns.
• Varicella-zoster virus. This virus is highly contagious and causes smallpox and rash.
• Measles and mumps. The virus from this disease is highly contagious and can spread when talking, coughing, sneezing.

Several bacteria cause meningitis

• Group B streptococcus. It is passed from mother to newborn.
• Escherichia coli. These bacteria are also spread from mother to baby during delivery if they are contaminated with these bacteria from food.
• Streptococcus pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenzae type b. These bacteria are generally spread through coughing and sneezing.
• Listeria monocytogenesis is spread through contaminated food.
• Neisseria meningitidis. These bacteria can spread through the saliva of adults to babies.

Are there any precautions that can be done?

Compared to other diseases, meningitis is a rare disease.

Even so, this disease can cause serious infections in the brain, spinal cord and blood of sufferers.

Not only that, the infection will quickly become very dangerous, it can even be deadly in just a few hours.

Therefore, parents need to know the symptoms of meningitis and take precautions such as not missing vaccines for children.

Vaccines to prevent meningitis symptoms

The Centers for Disease, Control, & Prevention recommends the MenACWY vaccine in infants aged 2 to 10 months.

Whereas for children aged 10 years and over, the CDC recommends giving the MenB vaccine.

Then, to prevent meningitis symptoms in adolescents aged 11 to 12 years, the CDC recommends the MenACYW vaccine.

Then, do additional vaccinations (boosters) at the age of 16 years.

In Indonesia, the meningitis vaccine is not included in the list of 5 mandatory immunizations for children.

The reason is, one of the mandatory immunizations such as DPT immunization can provide protection for babies and children.

Namely, protection from the bacterium Haemophylus influeza type B (HiB) which is one of several causes of meningitis.

However, before doing the vaccine, you should first consult with your doctor. There are several conditions that prevent a child or baby from getting vaccines.

In addition to carrying out a complete vaccine, it is also important to always keep children clean as a way to prevent the spread of the virus.

The things below can prevent the spread and symptoms of meningitis in children, such as:

• Wash your hands properly and often after doing anything. Also teach children to wash their hands properly.
• Avoid sharing drinks, food, cutlery, toothbrushes with babies.
• Clean the surfaces of children's toys and other items with a disinfectant.

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