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Delayed Diagnosis of Infantile Meningitis Medical and Legal Outcomes

Department of Pediatrics, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania

Robert Lambert, M.D.

PHICO, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

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 re ported 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 neuro logic 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.

American Journal of Medical Quality, Vol. 6, No. 3, 82-84 (1991)
DOI: 10.1177/0885713x9100600304


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