Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 2026

The Adjuvant Efficacy of Angong Niuhuang Pill in the Treatment of Viral Encephalitis: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
08:36

The Adjuvant Efficacy of Angong Niuhuang Pill in the Treatment of Viral Encephalitis: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Published on: April 19, 2024

Sequelae due to bacterial meningitis among African children: a systematic literature review

Meenakshi Ramakrishnan1, Aaron J Ulland, Laura C Steinhardt

  • 1meenaramakri@gmail.com

BMC Medicine
|September 16, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Bacterial meningitis in African children leads to high death rates and lasting neurological problems. Vaccination against pneumococcal, Hib, and meningococcal bacteria can prevent many cases, deaths, and disabilities.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • African children face disproportionately high rates of bacterial meningitis globally.
  • Bacterial meningitis in this population is linked to significant mortality and long-term neurological deficits.
  • This review comprehensively examines data on bacterial meningitis sequelae in African children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and synthesize data on the neuropsychological sequelae of bacterial meningitis in children across the African continent.
  • To identify the prevalence of various sequelae, including hearing and vision loss, cognitive and motor delays, speech disorders, behavioral issues, and seizures.
  • To analyze mortality rates associated with different bacterial pathogens causing meningitis.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature search was conducted for studies on laboratory-confirmed bacterial meningitis in children (1 month to 15 years) in Africa.
  • Data extraction focused on neuropsychological sequelae, mortality, and causative pathogens.
  • Included studies represented 21 African countries and 6,029 children.

Main Results:

  • Nearly one-fifth of bacterial meningitis survivors experienced in-hospital sequelae (median 18%).
  • Children surviving pneumococcal meningitis and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) meningitis had higher rates of neuropsychological sequelae (approx. 25%) by discharge compared to meningococcal meningitis.
  • In-hospital case fatality was highest for pneumococcal (median 35%) and Hib (median 25%) meningitis.

Conclusions:

  • Bacterial meningitis in Africa carries a high risk of mortality and long-term neurological impairment.
  • Pneumococcal and Hib meningitis are particularly deadly, causing death in about one-third of cases and significant sequelae in a quarter of survivors.
  • The primary causative agents are vaccine-preventable, highlighting the potential public health benefits of conjugate vaccine implementation.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Non-Invasive Model of Neuropathogenic Escherichia coli Infection in the Neonatal Rat08:27

Non-Invasive Model of Neuropathogenic Escherichia coli Infection in the Neonatal Rat

Published on: October 29, 2014

Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing of Cerebrospinal Fluid for the Detection of Central Nervous System Pathogens10:08

Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing of Cerebrospinal Fluid for the Detection of Central Nervous System Pathogens

Published on: April 17, 2026

Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
Bacterial Meningitis01:24

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Malaria01:29

Malaria

Malaria pathogenesis in humans reflects a delicate interplay between parasite biology and host response. Clinical illness reflects a host’s immune response to the parasite’s asexual replication cycle, which is often asymptomatic in individuals with partial immunity. From the parasite's perspective, transmission between mosquito and human with minimal host pathology is evolutionarily advantageous. Among the six Plasmodium species infecting humans, P. falciparum and P. vivax dominate in global...
Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...