Early detection of cognitive and behavioral sequelae in children survivors of bacterial meningitis

Abstract EN

Cognitive deficiencies after bacterial meningitis in children (predominantly persistent difficulties in learning, deficits in short term memory, behavioral problems and poor academic performance) have been described.

Aim: Assess early cognitive and behavioral sequelae in children survived of bacterial meningitis and detection of subtle deficits with relevant contribution to rehabilitation strategies, either by identifying deficits that can be addressed or capacities that can be used to facilitate functional recovery.

Methodology: This Case control study included 30 child aged (6- 18) years of both sexes infected with bacterial meningitis confirmed by lumber puncture.

Thirty healthy subjects without a medical history of neurological disease matched the age, gender, length of school education and social class of the study population served as a control group.

Psychiatric assessment in both groups carried out using Stanford- Binet Intelligence Scale and Child Behavior Check-List Parents form (CBCL/6- 18).

Also Familial Socioeconomic Status Scale was conducted to match both groups.

Results: Results showed highly significant difference in compsite IQ measures between case& control group with mean ±SD (87.97±20.09 vs.

104.1±14.19 p= 0.0007) respectively with also affection to all IQ subscales, the highest statistical significance was in short term memory subscale (p = 0.0024).

While there was statistically significance difference in CBCL only in two subscales, Rule-break problem& Aggression (p= 0.0166& 0.0013) respectively.

There was no statistical significance as regard Anxious/Depressed, withdrawn, Somatic complains, social problems, thought problems, Attention problem and other problem scales.

Conclusion: In Children with bacterial meningitis as regard Stanford-Binet Intelligence testing, showed highly significant difference in compsite IQ measures between case& control group with also affection to all IQ subscales, the highest statistical significance was in short term memory subscale and also parent report (CBCL) identified patients with bacterial meningitis disease as having more behavior problems.