Neonatal Escherichia coli meningitis: spinal adhesions as a late complication

We describe two boys who had severe spinal complications in adolescence aft er a favorable initial recovery from neonatal Escherichia coli meningitis. Due to spinal granulomatous adhesions, one buy died after an attempted scol iosis operation (high cord lesion). The other showed severe progressive neu rological deterioration with spinal and cerebellar symptoms. Conclusion The severe complication of chronic arachnoiditis with spinal adh esion may occur many years after neonatal acute bacterial meningitis.