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Psychiatric adjustment in the year after meningococcal disease in childhood

Daniel Shears1, Simon Nadel1, Julia Gledhill1

  • 1Drs. Shears, Gledhill, and Garralda are with the Imperial College London, Academic Unit of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; Dr. Nadel is with the St. Mary's Hospital, London; and Dr. Gordon is with the Imperial College London, Statistical Advisory Service.

Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
|January 2, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Psychiatric disorders are common in children following meningococcal disease, with over half experiencing issues in the year after illness. Severe illness and pre-existing behavioral problems increase this risk.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Child and adolescent psychiatry
  • Neuropsychology

Background:

  • Meningococcal disease can have significant long-term health consequences.
  • The psychiatric impact of meningococcal disease in children requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the psychiatric status of children after experiencing meningococcal disease.
  • To identify risk factors associated with developing psychiatric disorders post-illness.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study involving 66 children (ages 4-17) admitted for meningococcal disease.
  • Psychiatric disorders were assessed using standardized interviews and questionnaires at 1-year follow-up.

Main Results:

  • 57% of children aged 6+ experienced psychiatric disorders within a year of discharge.
  • Common disorders included depression, oppositional defiant disorder, and anxiety.
  • Illness severity, shock on admission, and premorbid behavioral issues predicted later psychiatric conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Psychiatric disorders are a frequent outcome in the year following meningococcal disease in children.
  • Children with severe meningococcal illness and pre-existing emotional/behavioral problems are at higher risk.
Abstract

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