Are there any sequelae of meningitis in children? What are the harms?

Meningitis is one of the most common diseases among children, and usually the symptoms of the children will affect the brain and the whole body, so parents will feel very worried, especially afraid of a series of serious sequelae. So what kind of harm will occur when a child suffers from meningitis? The editor will make a detailed analysis below.

When children suffer from meningitis, purulent exudates can easily block narrow passages or cause adhesions, causing cerebrospinal circulation disorders and resulting in hydrocephalus. It is common in patients who are treated improperly or too late, especially in newborns and infants. Adhesive arachnoiditis often occurs in the foramen magnum, which can obstruct the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid; or adhesions formed by ventricular meningitis are common causes of obstructive hydrocephalus.

In addition to water and electrolyte imbalance caused by vomiting, infrequent eating, etc., cerebral hyponatremia may also occur, with symptoms such as insomnia, convulsions, coma, edema, general weakness, low muscle tone in the limbs, and oliguria. Its occurrence mechanism is related to the infection affecting the posterior pituitary gland, causing excessive secretion of antidiuretic hormone and leading to water retention.

Due to damage to the brain parenchyma and adhesions, cranial nerves may be affected or limb paralysis may occur. Brain abscess, intracranial arteritis and secondary epilepsy may also occur. Fulminant meningococcal disease may be accompanied by DIC and shock. In addition, otitis media, pneumonia, and arthritis may occasionally occur. Some children may experience intellectual impairment, while others may become blind or have hearing loss, which can indirectly affect their intellectual development. Therefore, we must take active preventive measures and go to the hospital for treatment as soon as possible. The treatment must be thorough to prevent the development of sepsis or even purulent meningitis.

It is not difficult to see from the above content that there are many sequelae caused by meningitis in children, and most of them are serious. However, there is no need to worry too much about this. As long as you receive targeted treatment in time, you can effectively avoid the occurrence of these hazards and get rid of the torture of the disease as soon as possible.