Question
My daughter is two years old, and the doctor suspects she has tuberculous meningitis. What are the symptoms of pediatric tuberculous meningitis?
Answer
In the early stages, patients exhibit alternating periods of apathy and irritability, with changes in personality. The middle stage, known as the meningeal irritation phase, is characterized by bulging fontanels. Late symptoms include coma and recurrent convulsions. Anti-tuberculosis treatment consists of a 4-month intensive phase and a 2-month consolidation phase, with the option of adding prednisone for 2-3 months in the early stages. Since the widespread vaccination of BCG and the effective use of anti-tuberculosis drugs, the incidence of pediatric tuberculous meningitis has significantly decreased, and the prognosis has improved greatly. A combination of anti-tuberculosis drugs that can easily cross the blood-brain barrier is used, and treatment is staged.