Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis: manifestations and long term sequelae.

The observations made in these studies, which have been enhanced and refined in recently published reviews, 9-11 clearly demonstrate that a wide range of neurologic and learning disabilities are found in a large proportion of survivors of Hib meningitis who were successfully treated with antibiotics at the time of their acute illness and were subsequently considered to be normal by parents, teachers and peers. Despite their apparent normality many children have minimal brain damage and fall behind in intellectual achievement and social adjustment. Clearly no matter how effective therapy is in dealing with acute disease, it cannot prevent the development of handicapping sequelae in all children. For this reason I strongly believe that prevention of Hib meningitis is essential.