Friday, May 11, 2007
Predictors of long term neurological outcome in bacterial meningitis.
Indian J Pediatr. 2007 Apr
Singhi P,
Bansal A,
Geeta P,
Singhi S.
Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
OBJECTIVE: To study the long-term neurological and developmental outcome and the clinical and laboratory predictors of sequelae in children with acute bacterial meningitis (ABM).
METHODS: Detailed clinical and demographic data was retrieved from the medical records of study children. Subsequently they were followed up for a minimum of 12 months after discharge for development, neurological and hearing assessment. All sequelae were identified and divided into minor or major. For analysis data was divided into 2 groups those with sequelae and without sequelae at follow-up. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 10.00 and Epi Info version 2000.
RESULTS: 61 boys and 19 girls, a mean age of 31.4 +/= 41.9 months at the time of ABM, were included in the study. Of these 62.5% children were infants. Mean age at follow-up was 58.6 +/= 47.2 months. Sequelae were observed in 32 (40%) children (8 (10%) minor and 24 (30%) major). Mean social quotient at follow-up was 92.8 +/= 32.6. Developmentally 22 (37.9%) children were normal and 20 (34.5%) had global delay. Seizures (P=0.015), cranial nerve palsy (P=0.0065), abnormal deep tendon reflexes (P=0.002), Glasgow coma scale score (GCS) < p =" 0.044)" p="0.001)" p="0.001)">
CONCLUSION: Neurological and audiological sequelae and global developmental delay may be seen in about one third of survivors of bacterial meningitis. GCS score <8,>
Indian Journal of PediatricsLabels: bacterial menningitis, children, neurological damage, Neurological sequelae; Developmental delay; Outcome
