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Long-Term Outcomes Following Bacterial Meningitis in Childhood: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Rafaela Drumond Araújo1, Lilian Martins Oliveira Diniz2, Daniela Caldas Teixeira2
1Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|June 10, 2026
Summary
Childhood bacterial meningitis frequently leads to long-term health issues. This review found a 37.3% complication rate, including cognitive impairment and hearing loss, emphasizing the need for ongoing patient monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Bacterial meningitis during childhood and adolescence can result in significant long-term health consequences.
- Understanding the frequency and types of post-discharge complications is crucial for patient management and prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and quantify the frequency of post-discharge complications in pediatric and adolescent patients following bacterial meningitis.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature review was conducted across seven major databases.
- Included were observational studies of patients aged 29 days to 18 years with bacterial meningitis, excluding tuberculosis meningitis.
- Data synthesis involved quantitative analysis of complication events and participant numbers, with evidence certainty assessed by GRADE.
Main Results:
- Thirteen studies involving 51 to 3623 participants were analyzed.
- The overall post-discharge complication rate was 37.3% (95% CI 28.7-46.9).
- Most common sequelae included cognitive impairment (21.6%), emotional/behavioral problems (15.3%), and hearing loss (14.3%).
Conclusions:
- Bacterial meningitis in childhood and adolescence is linked to substantial and lasting health and developmental impacts.
- A high burden of auditory, cognitive, and behavioral sequelae is consistently observed.
- Long-term follow-up for affected individuals is essential due to persistent complications.
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