Publication

Outcome of meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b in children in The Gambia

Authored by:

Goetghebuer, T., West, T.E., Wermenbol, V., et al

Full Citation:

Goetghebuer, T., West, T.E., Wermenbol, V., et al 2000. Outcome of meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b in children in The Gambia. Tropical Medicine and International Health. 5(3).

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Additional key concepts from this publication:

Survivors of serious vaccine-preventable diseases frequently suffer from cognitive impairment and neurological sequelae.

Key Evidence: In The Gambia, 58% of children who survived pneumococcal meningitis had long lasting negative health outcomes. Half had major disabilities such as mental retardation, hearing loss, motor abnormalities, and seizures.

Children who survive vaccine-preventable causes of meningitis and encephalitis are at high risk of lifelong disabilities as a result of the infection.

Key Evidence: In Gambia, 58% of children who survived a bout of pneumococcal meningitis “had clinical sequelae; half of them had major disability preventing normal adaptation to social life” (mental retardation, hearing loss, motor abnormalities, seizures).