The Better Outcomes in Babies with Bacterial Meningitis (BOBBi) Trial Launching in Canada and UK

Acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) is a life-threatening infection that often affects babies under three months old. It can lead to death or serious long-term complications, such as hearing or vision loss, seizures, and other serious neurodevelopmental impairments. While steroids like dexamethasone are recommended for older children with certain forms of ABM, there is little high-quality evidence to guide treatment for babies.

The Better Outcomes in Babies with Bacterial meningitis (BOBBi) trial aims to address this gap by investigating whether steroids alongside the usual antibiotic treatment can improve outcomes for this vulnerable age group. Researchers hope this trial will determine whether this approach helps prevent long-term complications, such as deafness, blindness, and developmental difficulties, for these patients.

This randomized controlled trial is being conducted by POPCORN in collaboration with the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (NPEU) Clinical Trials Unit at Oxford Population Health. This study will take place at 60 hospital sites across the UK and 14 hospital sites in Canada. This research will be co-led by Dr. Manish Sadarangani (Nominated Principal Applicant) and Dr. Olivier Drouin (Principal Applicant) and has been awarded a five-year project grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

“Bacterial meningitis is a serious and devastating infection, and for these young babies can lead to lifelong disability,” notes Dr. Manish Sadarangani. “So, the prospect of being able to investigate if we can improve their outcomes, with a simple, low-cost intervention is very exciting, as well as being part of this incredible collaboration across Canada and with our UK co-investigators.”