Meningitis in infancy leads to developmental disabilities

Children who have meningitis in infancy have a 10-fold increase in the risk of developing permanent severe or moderate disabilities. Bedford et al (p 533) followed up 1717 children aged 5 years who had had meningitis. General practitioners and parents completed questionnaires about the health and development of 1584 children who had had meningitis and 1391 control children. Those in the meningitis group were more likely to have subtle deficits, such as middle ear disease and visual and behavioural problems. There was considerable variation in outcome depending on the age at infection and the causative organism. All children who have had meningitis should be carefully assessed.

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Relevant Article

Meningitis in infancy in England and Wales: follow up at age 5 years

Helen Bedford, John de Louvois, Susan Halket, Catherine Peckham, Rosalinde Hurley, and David Harvey
BMJ 2001 323: 533. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]