In another indication that overuse of antibiotics has far-reaching consequences, a study published in the journal Pediatrics has found that accurate diagnosis of a deadly childhood brain infection can be deterred by the prior use of antibiotics. Study author Nathan Kuppermann, professor and chair of emergency medicine, found that diagnosis of bacterial meningitis can be elusive in children who already are on antibiotics for a presumed ear infection, strep throat or some other condition. The study encourages physicians to be very cautious and conservative in evaluating children who are already on antibiotics, because those medications can change the cerebrospinal fluid profile of children with bacterial meningitis.