OUTCOMES OF CHILDREN TREATED FOR LYME-DISEASE

Objective. To study the outcome of Lyme disease (LD) in children ident ified in a total population survey of an endemic island. Methods. We c onducted a population-based retrospective cohort study off the coast o f Massachusetts. Twenty-five children who met the Centers for Disease Control case definition for prior LD were compared with 26 children wi thout LD from the same community. All children with LD received antibi otics during the acute phase of their disease. All 51 children were in vited for a clinical evaluation, including 12-lead electrocardiogram ( EKG), and measurement of antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi by antibod y-capture ELISA and Western blot. Results. At a mean of 3.2 years from the initial manifestation of LD, children with prior LD did not have a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal or neurological symptoms, exami nation abnormalities, abnormal EKG, or behavioral difficulties, compar ed to children with no history of LD. Conclusion. Children who receive appropriate antimicrobial therapy for LD appear to have no demonstrab le longterm morbidity.