Effectiveness of the association of dexamethasone with antibiotic therapy in pediatric patients with bacterial meningitis *

SummaryObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of the association of corticosteroids with the standard treatment of bacterial meningitis in pediatric patients.MethodsA systematic review of the literature was conducted through the MEDLINE database. Only randomized controlled trials comparing dexamethasone with placebo in the treatment of pediatric patients with bacterial meningitis were included.ResultsEight articles met the inclusion criteria and were selected for analysis. There were no differences in mortality (p = 0.86), and incidence of neurological ( = 0.41), and auditory (p = 0.48) sequelae between the groups.ConclusionThere are no benefits in associating corticosteroids with the standard treatment of bacterial meningitis in pediatric patients.