Twelve year outcomes following bacterial meningitis: Further evidence for persisting effects

Abstract

Aim - To determine whether intellectual and cognitive impairments observed seven year's following early childhood bacterial meningitis persist into adolescence. Methods - Blinded neuropsychological, auditory, and behaviour assessments were conducted in 109 (69%) subjects from an original cohort of 158 children, seven and 12 years after their meningitis, and in 96 controls. Results - Meningitis subjects remained at greater risk than controls for any disability (odds ratio OR 4.7, confidence interval 2.2 to 9.6). Those with acute neurological complications had more sequelae than children with uncomplicated meningitis or controls (47% υ 30% υ 11.5% respectively; p < 0.001). Differences in intel..