Long-term outcome for children with bacterial meningitis in rural Papua New Guinea

Abstract

This study was undertaken to evaluate the long-term neurological outcome for survivors of bacterial meningitis in rural Papua New Guinea. Children who were discharged from Nonga Base Hospital in Rabaul with a diagnosis of bacterial meningitis between 1992 and 2000 were evaluated in their home villages or on review at hospital. Neurological and developmental complications were documented. The outcomes for 80 of 121 eligible children were determined; eight had died following hospital discharge and 41 were lost to follow-up. Major neurological sequalae were found in 50 (63 per cent) of surviving children, and 27 (34 percent) had multiple severe complications. In rural Papua New Guinea meningiti..