http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/323/7312/0/b
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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