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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder following meningitis
23 November 2004
Findings from recent research shows that 15% of children who have had meningococcal disease, (meningitis and septicaemia) and up to half of all parents suffer from symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following discharge from hospital.
Meningitis Research Foundation has provided nearly £130,000 of funding for this three year project , which was undertaken by researchers at Imperial College London and St Mary's Hospital London.
In this study across three Paediatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) and 19 general paediatric wards in and around London (UK), 60 children aged 3-16 years were followed up together with 60 mothers and 45 fathers.
Parents were interviewed during or as soon as possible after admission, and together with the child's teacher completed questionnaires detailing the child's pre-morbid psychiatric adjustment. Parents also completed questionnaires about their own psychiatric status during admission. Three months later parents and teachers were asked to complete the same measures again and children over eight years of age completed questionnaires about PTSD symptoms.
Dr Daniel Shears said: "This research has shown an increase in emotional and hyperactive symptoms in children and high levels of symptoms of PTSD in children, and their parents, following meningitis and septicaemia.This is particularly so for those children with more severe illness necessitating longer admissions indicating that parents and children may benefit from anticipatory guidance and support after discharge from PICU."
Meningitis Research Foundation Chief Executive Denise Vaughan, commented: "Supporting families affected by meningitis and septicaemia forms part of Meningitis Research Foundation's essential work. These research findings clearly show that paediatric follow-up should explore psychiatric as well as physical after effects in children and parents."
Further information about the work of Meningitis Research Foundation or about meningitis and septicaemia, can be obtained from the Foundation's Freefone 24 hour helpline - 080 8800 3344.
Read more about this project:
Research archive for the public - Psychological effects of meningococcal disease in children
Research archive for the scientific community - Psychological outcome of children admitted to hospital with meningococcal disease