4-Year-Old Fights Back from Life-Threatening Meningoencephalitis at KIMS Hospitals Thane

A four-year-old unvaccinated child has recovered well from pneumococcal meningoencephalitis with sepsis after timely and intensive treatment at KIMS Hospitals, Thane.

He arrived with high fever, vomiting, severe headache, and repeated seizures, which quickly progressed to status epilepticus and altered consciousness. By the time he reached the hospital, he was in septic shock, requiring urgent stabilisation, inotropes, and mechanical ventilation.

Doctors suspected bacterial meningitis and immediately began antibiotics. Scans showed leptomeningeal inflammation and multiple infarcts in the left middle cerebral artery region. Cerebrospinal fluid tests confirmed Streptococcus pneumoniae meningoencephalitis with sepsis.

In the PICU, he received broad-spectrum antimicrobials, anti-epileptic drugs, hypertonic saline, and ventilatory support. His seizures were brought under control with levetiracetam and lacosamide. After a week on the ventilator, he was shifted to room air.

During treatment, he developed a vancomycin-related drug rash, which was managed promptly. A follow-up MRI showed improvement with no new complications. By the third week, the child was alert, seizure-free, eating orally, and discharged after 20 days, with only mild weakness in his right upper limb.

His family was guided on physiotherapy for motor recovery, and follow-ups with pediatrics, neurology, and physiotherapy were planned.

Dr. Jaykishan Tripathi, Pediatric Intensivist, said that this case underscores the importance of vaccination in preventing severe infections like pneumococcal meningitis, and that timely care played a vital role in the child’s recovery.

Dr. G. M. Shanbhag added that early diagnosis, quick initiation of antibiotics, and close monitoring are essential in managing bacterial meningoencephalitis with sepsis, and that dedicated teamwork in critical care significantly influenced the child’s outcome.

Beyond the medical care, the case also highlights the need for greater awareness among parents regarding routine childhood vaccinations. Pneumococcal infections remain a major cause of severe illness in young children, yet they are largely preventable through timely immunisation.

Doctors emphasised that missing critical vaccines can leave children vulnerable to life-threatening complications, especially during early childhood when their immune systems are still developing.

KIMS Hospitals, Thane, reiterated its commitment to strengthening pediatric critical care and community outreach. The team encouraged parents to seek immediate medical help if a child shows symptoms like persistent fever, seizures, or altered consciousness.

They added that continuous education on vaccination, early health-seeking behaviour, and regular pediatric follow-ups can help prevent similar emergencies in the future.