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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
PubMed

Insights

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.
Abstract

Keywords:
bacterial meningitischild healthcomplications

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