Neuro developmental sequelae of pyogenic meningitis in children

97 children above one month of age with pyogenic meningitis were followed up after 6 and 12 months at the child development Center, S.A.T Hospital, Medical College, Trivandrum. Developmental quotient was obtained using Bayley scale of Infant Development, intelligence quotient using Binet-Kamath test and behavioural assessment by the Eyberg behavior inventory. The major sequelae observed were mental/developmental retardation 53.2 percent, behavioural problems 11.3 percent, focal neurological deficits 7.2 percent, epilepsy 6.2 percent and perception deafness 3.1 percent. Retardation observed in the 4-12 months age group was statistically significantly higher than the 1-3 months age group. Further, mental impairment significantly outweighed motor impairment as a sequel. Acute phase poor responders had high incidence of retardation. 37.5 percent of those who had focal deficits during acute phase, continued to have persistent deficit at 12 months follow up.