Vicki Anderson|Peter J. Anderson|Keith Grimwood|Terry Nolan
Cognitive and Executive Function 12 Years after Childhood Bacterial Meningitis: Effect of Acute Neurologic Complications and Age of Onset
Murdoch Children's Research Institute
study investigated longterm neurobehavioral outcome childhood bacterial meningitis particular focus influence acute neurologic complications age illnessthis prospective longitudinal study compared survivors childhood bacterial meningitis n 109 grade gendermatched controls n 96 selected target childrens schools 12 years postillness order identify residual deficits intellectual academic executive abilityresults showed 12 years postillness children history meningitis greater risk impairment domains however development shown keep pace exhibited healthy controls suggesting deterioration function time since illness prediagnosis symptom duration acute neurologic complications predictors 12year outcome meningitis 12 months age significantly related poorer performance tasks requiring language executive skillsthese findings suggest overall impact meningitis may relatively general mild younger age illness predictive neurobehavioral outcome evidence progressive deterioration postmeningitis comparison results 7 12 years postillness demonstrating significant catchup aspects executive function