Pediatrics
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Hearing impairment in childhood bacterial meningitis is little relieved by dexamethasone or glycerol.
Several studies have evaluated dexamethasone for prevention of hearing loss in childhood bacterial meningitis, but results have varied. We compared dexamethasone and/or glycerol recipients with placebo recipients, and measured hearing at 3 threshold levels. ⋯ With bacterial meningitis, the child's presenting status and young age are the most important predictors of hearing impairment. Little relief is obtained from current adjuvant medications.