ObjectiveTo determine predictors of survival and functional outcome of pediatric patients requiring mechanical ventilation during therapy for acute bacterial meningitis.DesignRetrospective case series.SettingPediatric intensive care unit (ICU) at a midwestern tertiary care children's hospital.PatientsConsecutive sample of 32 patients (median age 9.8 months; range 9 days to 12 yrs) from 1985 to 1990 with acute bacterial meningitis severe enough to require mechanical ventilation during therapy. Of these patients, 59% were female and 59% were white.InterventionsNone.Measurements and Main ResultsData were analyzed to identify predictors of survival and functional status after hospital discharge. Variables included were vital signs, Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM) score within the first 24 hrs of hospitalization, Glasgow Coma Score, and course of illness. Functional status was assessed at hospital discharge and at follow-up (median follow-up: 41.5 months, range 7 to 77) in the areas of locomotion, self-care, and communication. There were ten inhospital deaths. The 22 survivors formed three groups. At hospital discharge, seven children showed no functional disability. Seven patients were dependent in all three areas of function at discharge, with six still dependent at follow-up evaluation. Eight patients showed mild to moderate impairment in at least one area of function at hospital discharge. At follow-up, four of these eight patients demonstrated no functional disability, one had improved status, two were unchanged, and one was lost to follow-up. The best predictor of death and functional status at follow-up was the admission PRISM score. Hypotension and tachycardia within the first 24 hrs after pediatric ICU admission were strongly associated with poor outcome.ConclusionsAfter bacterial meningitis in children whose care included mechanical ventilation, half of the patients died or survived with severe functional deficits. Patients with mild or moderate functional deficits at hospital discharge improved with time.(Crit Care Med 1995; 23:1279-1283)