Meningococcal disease and neurological deficits

Invasive meningococcal disease is a life-threatening condition and may cause septicaemia and/or meningitis. Though primarily a disease of children, there has been a significant rise among adolescents during the 1990s and the disease remains a major cause of death and disability in this age-group. The long-term sequelae of the disease among survivors are not well studied but a disturbing series of deficits, including depression, low educational achievement and poor quality of life are known. Researchers from United Kingdom conducted a population-based study, and 101 control matched pairs between the age of 15 and 19 years at the time of illness, to examine the physical, cognitive, education, social and psychological outcomes of meningococcal disease in adolescence. The physical and mental health statuses of the subjects were assessed before and after the disease. Subjects were followed up between 18 and 36 months after the disease resolution. Educational, social and vocational functioning, and self-sufficiency and quality of life were also assessed. It was found that 57 percent of meningococcal disease survivors had major physical effects of the infection. The patients also had significantly higher levels of depression, poorer quality of life, greater fatigue and less social support than the controls. Younger age was associated with greater cognitive deficits. Only 53 subjects reported any medical follow-up care after invasive meningococcal disease. The researchers recommend routine follow-up of these teenagers as this may prevent physical and psychological morbidity after invasive meningococcal disease.

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