Meningitis after Lumbar Puncture in Children with Bacteremia

To the Editor: The important point with regard to the October 29 article by Teele et al.¹ is that a single negative lumbar puncture does not rule out meningitis in an infant in whom this diagnosis is suspected. The frequency with which lumbar puncture is performed in these circumstances should not be diminished, as some imperceptive physicians may believe the article justifies. Instead, a second lumbar puncture should be performed if meningitis is suspected in an infant in whom bacteremia is detected or whose condition does not improve at the rate expected. It has long been routine in our hospital.