Delayed diagnosis of infantile meningitis. Medical and legal outcomes.

While the diagnosis of meningitis in the infant can be difficult due to the lack of definitive signs, a delay in the diagnosis can markedly increase morbidity and mortality. Eighteen cases of meningitis that were reported to a malpractice carrier over 75 months were evaluated for medical and legal outcome. Fourteen had a delay in diagnosis that was judged to have occurred due to substandard care. All had a poor outcome; one half died and the other half had neurologic complications. Four cases resulted in payment to the patient. Median payment was $1,100,000. When care was standard, no payment or legal action occurred.