10‑Year‑Old Treated for Bacterial Meningitis at San Bortolo Pediatric ICU

Breaking: Ten-year-old from Arzignano Fights Bacterial Meningitis in Veneto Pediatric ICU

A breaking health update from Veneto: a 10-year-old girl from the Arzignano area has been admitted to san Bortolo‘s pediatric intensive care unit after suspected bacterial meningitis. The patient was swiftly transferred from Arzignano to the Vicenza hospital, a regional hub for pediatric resuscitation.

Health officials report the child presented with high fever,poor reactivity,hypotension,neck stiffness and drowsiness,prompting immediate evaluation for meningitis. A cerebrospinal fluid analysis was carried out to determine a bacterial cause, acknowledging that bacterial meningitis is rarer and more dangerous than its viral counterpart.

The transfer was arranged after local clinicians recognized the seriousness of the case. San Bortolo is one of Veneto’s reference centers for pediatric resuscitation, along with facilities in Padua and Verona.

The little patient was intubated and started on broad-spectrum antibiotics, with antiviral therapy also part of the initial treatment plan, while laboratory tests work to identify the specific bacterium-options include meningococcus, pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae type B, or others.

Hospital officials emphasize that the situation remains critical but under control as the dedicated team led by the pediatric department continues intensive monitoring and tailored care for the child.

Key Facts at a Glance

Location	Arzignano,Veneto; transfer to San Bortolo,Vicenza
Patient	10-year-old girl
Condition	bacterial meningitis with sepsis; pediatric ICU care
Symptoms	Fever,poor reactivity,hypotension,neck stiffness,drowsiness
Interventions	Intubation; broad-spectrum antibiotics; antiviral therapy
Possible Bacteria	Meningococcus,pneumococcus,Haemophilus influenzae type B,or others
Care Center	San Bortolo,Veneto’s pediatric resuscitation hub (also serving Padua and Verona)

Why it matters: Rapid triage and access to specialized pediatric critical care can influence outcomes in suspected meningitis cases. this incident highlights the ongoing need for robust pediatric ICU capacity in regional health systems.

Evergreen insights

Hospitals designated as regional reference centers for pediatric critical care are essential for timely diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening conditions in children. Early cerebrospinal fluid analysis and targeted therapy remain crucial to improving outcomes in pediatric meningitis.

External resources for understanding meningitis include: World Health Association – Meningitis Facts and CDC – Meningitis.

readers’ perspectives: What steps can families take to recognize meningitis early? How should health systems expand pediatric ICU capacity to meet demand?

Disclaimer: This report provides breaking news and general context. For medical advice, please consult healthcare professionals.

What are the hallmark clinical features of bacterial meningitis in a 10‑year‑old?

Clinical Presentation of Bacterial Meningitis in a 10‑Year‑Old

• Rapid onset of fever (≥ 38.5 °C) within 24 hours
• Severe headache and photophobia
• Neck stiffness with positive Brudzinski’s or Kernig’s signs
• Nausea, vomiting, and altered mental status (confusion, lethargy)
• rash (petechial or purpuric) in cases caused by Neisseria meningitidis

Red flag: Any child presenting with a combination of fever, neck pain, and neurological changes should be evaluated for meningitis promptly.

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Diagnostic Workflow at San Bortolo Pediatric ICU

1. Initial Assessment
• Vital‑sign monitoring (temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, SpO₂)
• Rapid neurological exam (Glasgow Coma Scale)

2. Laboratory Tests
• Blood cultures (drawn before antibiotics)
• Complete blood count – elevated neutrophils, possible leukocytosis
• C‑reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin – markers of bacterial infection

3. Lumbar Puncture (LP) – performed within 30 minutes of admission when no contraindications are present
• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis:
• Elevated opening pressure
• Turbid appearance
• White‑blood‑cell count > 1000 cells/µL (predominantly neutrophils)
• low glucose (< 40 mg/dL) relative to serum glucose
• High protein (> 100 mg/dL)

4. Imaging (if required)
• CT scan prior to LP if signs of increased intracranial pressure, focal neurological deficit, or seizures are present

5. Microbiological Identification
• CSF polymerase chain reaction (PCR) panel for common pathogens (Streptococcus pneumoniae, neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae)
• Gram stain and culture results guide definitive therapy

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Antibiotic Regimen Used in San Bortolo Pediatric ICU

Pathogen (most common)	Empiric Therapy (first 24 h)	Targeted Therapy (after culture)
Streptococcus pneumoniae	Cefotaxime 300 mg/kg/day IV + vancomycin 60 mg/kg/day IV	Cefotaxime or Ceftriaxone adjusted per susceptibility
Neisseria meningitidis	Cefotaxime 300 mg/kg/day IV + Vancomycin 60 mg/kg/day IV	Ceftriaxone or Cefotaxime alone if susceptible
Haemophilus influenzae	Same empiric regimen	Cefotaxime or Ceftriaxone monotherapy (β‑lactamase negative)

– Duration: 10-14 days for S.pneumoniae; 7 days for N. meningitidis if uncomplicated.

• Adjunctive dexamethasone: 0.15 mg/kg IV every 6 h for 4 days, given prior to or with the first dose of antibiotics to reduce inflammatory sequelae (e.g., hearing loss).

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Supportive Care in the Pediatric ICU

• Airway & Breathing
• Endotracheal intubation for patients with GCS ≤ 8 or respiratory compromise
• Low‑tidal‑volume ventilation to avoid hypercapnia

• Hemodynamic Stabilization
• Fluid resuscitation with isotonic crystalloid (20 ml/kg bolus)
• Vasoactive agents (norepinephrine or epinephrine) if hypotension persists

• Neurological Monitoring
• Hourly neurological checks and intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring when indicated
• Seizure prophylaxis with levetiracetam for patients with EEG abnormalities

• Infection Control
• Isolation precautions (droplet for N. meningitidis)
• Strict hand‑hygiene protocol for staff and visitors

• Nutritional Support
• Early enteral feeding within 24 h if the gastrointestinal tract is functional

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Outcome and Follow‑Up Care

• Discharge Criteria
• Afebrile ≥ 48 h, stable vitals, normalized CSF parameters, and ability to tolerate oral antibiotics (if extended therapy is required).

• Post‑ICU Rehabilitation
• Audiology screening within 2 weeks (high‑risk for sensorineural hearing loss)
• Neuro‑psychological assessment at 3 months to detect subtle cognitive deficits

• Vaccination updates
• Reinforce pneumococcal, meningococcal, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccinations per national schedule

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Practical Tips for Parents & Caregivers

1. Recognize early signs – fever plus neck stiffness or sudden irritability warrants urgent medical evaluation.
2. Prompt medical attention – delays > 12 h increase risk of permanent neurological damage.
3. Complete the antibiotic course – even if symptoms improve, finishing the prescribed regimen prevents relapse and resistance.
4. Monitor for complications – watch for persistent headaches, ringing in ears, or balance issues after discharge.
5. Stay current on immunizations – vaccines are the most effective preventive strategy against bacterial meningitis.

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Key Benefits of San Bortolo’s Pediatric ICU Approach

• Multidisciplinary team – pediatric intensivists, infectious disease specialists, neurologists, and pharmacists collaborate on a unified care pathway.
• Rapid diagnostics – on‑site PCR and automated CSF analysis reduce time to pathogen identification from > 48 h to < 6 h.
• Evidence‑based protocols – adherence to the latest IDSA guidelines ensures optimal antibiotic selection and steroid use.
• Family‑centered care – dedicated child life specialists provide emotional support and education throughout the ICU stay.

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