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Behaviour is not really at risk after surviving meningitis in childhood
Author(s) -
Ritchi Lieneke,
JennekensSchinkel Aag,
Van Schooneveld Monique,
Koomen Irene,
Geenen Rinie
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2008.00682.x
Subject(s) - medicine , meningitis , pediatrics , family medicine
Aim: To examine behaviour problems, personality, self‐perceived competence and academic deficits in children who had recovered from non‐ Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacterial meningitis (BM) without obvious medical sequelae. Methods: Assessments in 182 children, mean age 10 (range 5–14) years, 4–10 years after surviving meningitis, were compared to scores of norm reference groups. Results: More children were estimated to have academic deficits (27%) than behaviour problems as perceived by the parents (9%). The mean deviation from normal was absent to moderate on behaviour problems, personality variables and self‐perceived competence. Conclusion: Children who survived non‐Hib BM without severe medical sequelae hardly differ from normal children with respect to personality and self‐perceived competence. A small proportion deviates from normal in behaviour problems.