Neurodevelopmental outcome in meningococcal disease: a case-control study

Aims-To determine long term neurodevelopmental outcome following the spectr um of meningococcal infection. Methods-Between 1988 and 1990, 152 cases of meningococcal disease were recr uited; 139 survived. Between 1998 and 1999, 115 survivors (83%) were evalua ted, together with 115 sex and age matched controls. Standard measures of n eurological function, coordination, cognition, behaviour, and hearing were used to assess neurodevelopmental status. Results-One case has spastic quadriplegia. Gross neurological examination w as normal in all other cases and all controls. Five cases and no controls h ave significant hearing loss. Cases performed at a lower level than control s on measures of coordination, cognition, and behaviour. Four cases and no controls had major impairments. The adjusted odds ratios for moderate and m inor impairments were 3.6 (95% CI 1.3 to 10.3) and 1.6 (95% CI 0.8 to 3.4) respectively. Conclusion-The majority of survivors from this cohort do not have gross neu rological deficits. However, when objective measures of motor function, cog nitive ability, and behaviour were applied significant detriments were foun d in meningococcal survivors.