Clinical criteria for estimating recovery from childhood bacterial meningitis.
A comparison study was conducted between 105 children (aged 3 months to 15 years) who had recovered from bacterial meningitis uneventfully and 29 children who had suffered from subsequent neurological complications or sequelae. The objective was to find a potential correlation between easily measurable clinical variables and the risk of developing neurological complications. Sixteen clinical signs and measurements routinely registered in patients with bacterial meningitis were recorded daily during the first 14 days of hospitalization. Differences found between the two groups were mean morning temperature, presence of neck rigidity and willingness to leave the supine position. The results indicate that if a child recovering from bacterial meningitis continues to be feverish, has neck rigidity, or is reluctant to leave the supine position over seven days, she/he runs a special risk of developing neurological complications or sequelae, which should be actively sought for using all available measures.
Anttila
M
M
Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki, Finland.
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies