IT IS MORE THAN 13 years since streptomycin became available for the treatment of tuberculous meningitis. Since then treatment has become progressively more efficient and much less complicated.1-7 Between 1947 and the end of 1955, 170 children were treated for tuberculous meningitis by the Department of Child Health of the University of Sheffield. One hundred of these survived for 5 years or more.
The purpose of this paper is to review the long-term results in these 100 survivors, 33 of whom have been followed for more than 10 years (Table I). Thirty children had been treated with streptomycin, 35 with streptomycin and aminosalicylic acid (PAS), and 35 with isoniazid, streptomycin and PAS. All had intrathecal treatment with streptomycin, although the length of the intrathecal therapy and the number of injections was progressively reduced as the newer antibiotics were introduced. No child had less than 20 intrathecal injections.
At the beginning of their illness 47 were less than 5 years of age, 43 between 5 and 9, and 10 between 10 and 14 years of age (Table II). Thirty-one survivors were in the early stage of disease, 53 were in the intermediate and 16 in an advanced stage on admission. After discharge from the hospital they were all followed at regular intervals. In the follow-up period much stress was laid on the assessment of their personality, their achievement, and their adjustment to life. During this period closer acquaintance with the parents and their siblings helped in placing the patients' achievements and problems in perspective.
Tuberculous Meningitis Treated with Streptomycin and Isoniazid without Intrathecal Therapy
