Dexamethasone (0.15mg/kg IV q6h x 2-4 days) prior to administration of antibiotics is an option in bacterial meningitis but remains controversial [Lancet Neurol 2010;9:254–63]. The benefit of corticosteroids may depend on age, severity of presentation and pathogen. Corticosteroids have been shown to decrease mortality and hearing loss in adult patients with S. pneumoniae meningitis [Neurol 2010:75:1533-9].