Patient's question:
The child (born in November 2008) began showing symptoms in early August of this year. They cry and fuss (suspected abdominal cramps), have low-grade fever and diarrhea, cough with nasal discharge, poor sleep and appetite. Treatment for cold/intestinal issues has been inconsistent, with periods of improvement and worsening. They exhibit head scratching and hunchback posture, but no high fever, convulsions, or muscle spasms. The child is alert and intelligent, but when severely affected, they cannot hold their head upright and vomit when eating.Doctor's answer:
It is recommended that you seek consultation at the Department of Child Neurology at Peking University First Hospital.Based on the information you provided, intracranial infection can be confirmed. Regarding the pathogen, I lean towards the possibility of a pyogenic bacterium. Pediatric purulent meningitis is prone to developing hydrocephalus and other sequelae. Since the child was treated with antibiotics during the illness, it may result in the inability to identify the specific infecting bacteria. The high white blood cell count in the tests is likely related to the infection, as it is a common manifestation of respiratory infections.
It is also necessary to investigate whether there are any other underlying conditions that need to be clarified.