Of 99 consecutive patients with meningococcal disease, 6 died during t
he acute stage. The 93 survivors were examined one year after hospital
ization. 21 (40%) of the adults and 6 (15%) of the children had defini
te sequelae, and an additional 27% and 11% possible sequelae. 6 adults
(12%) and 1 child (2%) had definite neurological sequelae. Electroenc
ephalography (EEG) abnormalities were observed in 7 adults (14%) and 2
children (5%). Epileptogenic activity was present in 3 of these, but
none had experienced seizures. 8 adults (19%) and 5 children (14%) had
sensorineural hearing loss or impaired vestibular function. Cerebral
computerized tomography (CT) scan showed definite and possible abnorma
lities in 1 (3%) and 6 (18%), respectively, of the 34 patients tested.
Neuropsychological tests were performed in 9 patients, 2 of these sho
wed definite impairment. The frequency of neurological abnormalities w
as higher than in many previous studies, probably reflecting the more
comprehensive examinations performed in the present study. However, on
ly 3 patients had serious sequelae. The results suggest that the occur
rence of sequelae after meningococcal disease is related to the severi
ty of the acute disease. This may explain the higher rate of sequelae
in adults, who have a higher proportion of seriously ill patients. The
presence of meningitis is not required for the occurrence of neurolog
ical sequelae.