Q: My nephew (2 yr old) has bacterial meningitis and he almost lost his hearing. We did BERA test and some other test. Seem, he is not responding to 129 db sound.Doctor suggested us to start ATCH therapy. We could like to know 1,what is ATCH therapy?2,What are the adverse effect of this therapy?3,What will be the best time for my nephew to start ATCH theraphy?4,What other treament would help him to get his hearning back?

A:Deafness is a recognised complication of bacterial meningitis. Steroids are given to prevent such deafness during the episode of meningitis. I am not certain when your nephew developed meningitis. ACTH will stimulate the adrenal gland to produce more of a patients own steroids. Their main action is to reduce inflammation. I presume that this is the basis of the proposed treatment, in which case it should be started early. There are a number of side effects including high blood pressure and diabetes.