The role of aspirin in childhood tuberculous meningitis

J Child Neurol. 2011 Aug;26(8):956-62. doi: 10.1177/0883073811398132. Epub 2011 May 31.

Abstract

Arterial stroke is the main cause of poor outcome in childhood tuberculous meningitis. Aspirin has an antithrombotic action at low dose and anti-ischemic and anti-inflammatory properties, which are dose-related. The aim of the study was to explore the possible benefits of aspirin in children with tuberculous meningitis. A total of 146 consecutive children with a diagnosis of probable tuberculous meningitis were studied. Patients were randomized into 3 groups: (1) placebo group, (2) low-dose aspirin group, and (3) high-dose aspirin group. Twenty-nine additional patients who received aspirin before admission were excluded from the randomized study, but continued on low-dose aspirin. Aspirin, irrespective of dose, did not show any significant benefit regarding morbidity (hemiparesis and developmental outcome) and mortality. Aspirin was well tolerated, but 1 death was probably related to aspirin. The fact that the outcome of the high-dose aspirin group compared favorably with the other treatment groups despite younger age and more severe neurological involvement at baseline needs further investigation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Aspirin / administration & dosage
  • Aspirin / therapeutic use*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Paresis / epidemiology
  • Paresis / etiology
  • Paresis / prevention & control*
  • Stroke / epidemiology
  • Stroke / etiology
  • Stroke / prevention & control*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tuberculosis, Meningeal / complications
  • Tuberculosis, Meningeal / diagnostic imaging
  • Tuberculosis, Meningeal / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Aspirin