title: [Sequelae of bacterial meningitis in childhood: a study of hearing impairment].
abstract: Bacterial meningitis is an infection of the central nervous system involving quite a number of neurological sequelae the most common of which is hearing impairment. To assess the incidence of audiological deficit the authors evaluated retrospectively 20 patients, between 4 months and 11 years of age, observed at the Pediatric Clinic at the University of Pisa between 1988 and 1993. A clinical-neurological examination and a complete auditory assessment (using BAEPs and impedence audiometry) has been performed in every patient between 1 and 18 months after they left hospital. 4 children had persisting neurological sequelae, 3 patients developed sensorineural hearing loss and one child visual impairment and seizures. Haemophilus Influenzae was responsible for 2 cases of sequelae and Streptococcus Pneumoniae for the other 2 cases. The number of days of illness before hospitalization and the institution of an antibacterial treatment, persistence of fever and deviation from the normal level of consciousness and persistence of neck rigidity were not correlated with the presence of sequelae. No correlation has been found between sensorineural hearing loss and the kind of antibacterial therapy. It's advisable that every child, following bacterial meningitis, should undergo a complete and repeated audiological assessment to detect any lesser impairments and/or unilateral losses that may damage the development of speech and language in any way.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Clinica Pediatrica, Università degli Studi, Pisa.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Palla
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Villirillo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ughi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berrettini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sellari Franceschini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ursino
mesh_terms: D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D000367:Age Factors; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008583:Meningitis, Haemophilus / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D008586:Meningitis, Pneumococcal / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
vernacular_title: Sequele della meningite batterica in età pediatrica: studio dell'interessamento audiologico.