Pediatric Hearing Thresholds Post-bacterial Meningitis.

Mercy E Jatto,Onyekwere G Nwaorgu,Adebolajo A Adeyemo,Segun A Ogunkeyede,Ikeoluwa A Lagunju

doi:10.3389/fsurg.2020.00036

Mercy E Jatto, Onyekwere G Nwaorgu + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fsurg.2020.00036

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Abstract

Introduction: Disabling hearing loss as a sequela of bacterial meningitis results from damage to the auditory system. This study was designed to ascertain the hearing thresholds in survivors of bacterial meningitis and the risk factors of hearing loss in childhood bacterial meningitis.Methodology: One hundred and two children admitted and treated for bacterial meningitis were recruited prospectively along with 102 age- and sex-matched controls who had auditory evaluation using otoacoustic emission and auditory brain stem response tests 48 h prior to hospital discharge. This was also repeated at the follow-up clinic at 1 month after hospital discharge, irrespective of the initial hearing assessment results.Result: There were 57 (55.9%) males and 45 (44.1%) females among the cases (mean age, 5.34 ± 4.40 years) and 55 (53.9%) males and 47 (46.1%) females among the controls (mean age, 5.31 ± 3.15 years). The prevalence of hearing loss was 30.4% among the cases, while it was 6.9% among the controls. The risk factors of hearing impairment in this study were the presence of anemia, leukocytosis, and hypoglycorrhachia.Conclusion: Hearing impairment with varying degrees of severity is a frequent complication of bacterial meningitis in children.

Highlights

Disabling hearing loss as a sequela of bacterial meningitis results from damage to the auditory system
Hearing impairment with varying degrees of severity is a frequent complication of bacterial meningitis in children
An estimated 1.2 million cases of bacterial meningitis occur worldwide annually [3], with a high prevalence seen in low- and medium-income countries (LMICs), especially among African children [4, 5]

Summary

Introduction

Disabling hearing loss as a sequela of bacterial meningitis results from damage to the auditory system. Bacterial meningitis is the inflammation of the brain meninges (affecting the pia mater, arachnoid mater, and the subarachnoid space) due to bacterial infection [1]. It is a prevalent global health problem despite the availability of vaccines against the usual pathogens responsible for the disease [2]. The African continent accounts for ∼50% of all bacterial meningitis cases [3]. This is probably due to its young population, epidemics in the meningitis belt, and the high rates of endemicity of this disease [6]. Children are more at risk of developing meningitis because of their immature immune system, malnutrition, poor immunization practices, and a high rate of poverty with its consequences [6, 7]

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