Meningitis and Babies

Early symptoms of meningitis can easily be mistaken for the flu. In newborns, signs and symptoms include the following:

• Irritability
• High-pitched cry
• Poor feeding
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Seizures
• Bulging fontanelle ("soft spot" in the skull) or stiff neck (less common)

Special Considerations

Pregnant women often carry L. monocytogenes and S. agalactiae without having symptoms and may pass these infections to their children during birth. Pregnant women should not take rifampin to prevent meningitis because it is not clear whether this drug may harm the fetus.