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The clinical features and long-term sequelae of invasive meningococcal disease in children

Chen Stein-Zamir1, Hanna Shoob, Irina Sokolov

  • 1From the *Jerusalem District Health Office, Ministry of Health; and †Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University and Hadassah, Jerusalem, Israel.

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|March 14, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Invasive meningococcal disease in children, primarily caused by serogroup B, has an 11.6% fatality rate. A significant 33% of survivors experience long-term sequelae, impacting learning, hearing, and neurological function.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) poses a significant threat to children.
  • Serogroup B is a predominant cause of IMD in pediatric populations.
  • Understanding long-term outcomes is crucial for comprehensive patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the clinical outcomes and long-term sequelae of invasive meningococcal disease in children under 15 years of age.
  • To identify the most common sequelae following IMD in this age group.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective evaluation of 181 children diagnosed with IMD.
  • Analysis of bacterial isolates, focusing on serogroup identification.
  • Follow-up interviews with survivors to assess long-term health deficits.

Main Results:

  • Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B accounted for 78% of isolates.
  • The overall case fatality rate was 11.6%.
  • Among survivors, 33% reported at least one long-term sequela, including learning difficulties (22.6%), neurological deficits (12.2%), behavioral issues (14.8%), and motor deficits (10.4%).

Conclusions:

  • Invasive meningococcal disease, particularly serogroup B, results in substantial long-term sequelae in children.
  • Early identification and management of these sequelae are essential for improving the quality of life for affected children.
  • Further research into preventative strategies and targeted interventions for IMD survivors is warranted.

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