Successful treatment of neuroborreliosis with ten day regimens

BACKGROUND.There have been few large reports of the treatment and outcome of neuroborreliosis in children. METHODS.All 203 children with symptoms, cerebrospinal fluid and serologic findings compatible with neuroborreliosis and treated at one of the four pediatric hospitals in Stockholm from 1994 through 1996 were included. Children were treated with intravenous beta-lactam antibiotics or oral doxycycline for 10 days and followed until the resolution of symptoms. RESULTS.At the end of treatment 58% and after 2 months 92% of the children had no symptoms. Cerebrospinal fluid findings had no statistically significant influence on the outcome. Facial paralysis persisted longer than other symptoms. CONCLUSIONS.The prognosis of neuroborreliosis in children 2 months after treatment seems to be excellent with 10-day treatment regimens.