Complications & Outcomes
Meningitis
Meningitis is infection or inflammation of the membranes around the brain, a serious risk that a CSF leak can increase.
In short: Meningitis
- A watertight closure helps prevent it by sealing leak pathways.
- It is a serious infection requiring prompt treatment.
- A CSF leak increases its risk.
- Warning signs include fever, irritability, and poor feeding.
What it is
It is infection or inflammation of the meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Bacterial meningitis is a serious infection requiring prompt medical treatment.
Understanding Meningitis
In the context of encephalocele, the main concern is that a cerebrospinal fluid leak can provide a pathway for bacteria to reach the meninges, causing meningitis. This is a key reason a watertight closure is emphasized in surgery, and why a CSF leak is treated promptly. Warning signs in a child can include fever, irritability, poor feeding, lethargy, or a stiff neck, all of which warrant urgent medical attention. Meningitis is treated with prompt medical care, including antibiotics for bacterial cases.
Why it matters
Understanding meningitis helps families see why preventing and promptly treating CSF leaks is so important, and recognize the warning signs that require urgent medical attention.
Common questions
What is meningitis?
Infection or inflammation of the membranes around the brain.
How is it related to encephalocele?
A CSF leak can increase the risk of it.
What are warning signs?
Fever, irritability, poor feeding, lethargy, or a stiff neck.
Bottom line
Meningitis is a serious infection of the brain's membranes that a CSF leak can increase, requiring prompt treatment.
Browse all 265 Encephalocele definitions
Read the Encephalocele patient guides
Not sure which page you need? Put words to it with the symptom navigator