Sequelae of meningitis
Release time : 01/18/2025 18:13:27
After the treatment of encephalitis, when the baby's brain inflammation is basically cured, we cannot take it lightly. This is because the sequelae may become an important factor affecting the baby's health. And understanding the sequelae of encephalitis, how to deal with them and how to prevent encephalitis are key.
What are the sequelae of meningitis? In fact, for mothers, although meningitis is frightening, it is also worrying that even after recovery from meningitis, there may still be sequelae in babies. After all, this is a brain injury, which will definitely affect the baby's future health and intellectual development.
Hydrocephalus?
When meningitis occurs, the purulent exudate can obstruct narrow ducts or form adhesions, causing cerebrospinal fluid circulation disorders and resulting in hydrocephalus.
Commonly seen in patients who have received improper or delayed treatment, especially in neonates and infants.
This is due to meningeal adhesions and cerebrospinal fluid circulation disorders.
2. Traumatic brain injury aphasia.
Aphasia refers to the loss of both comprehension and expression of language, which results from damage to the cerebral cortex's language center.
There are multiple manifestations of language barriers.
One person may lose only the ability to comprehend written language, while another might be unable to recall or articulate the name of an object. Some individuals with anomic aphasia cannot remember the correct names of objects, while others know the word but are unable to express it.
Articulation disorder refers to the inability to pronounce words clearly and accurately.
3. Brain Injury Agnosia.
Anosognosia is a rare symptom, whereby the individual can see or perceive an object, but cannot relate it to its function and purpose.
A patient may not recognize familiar faces or some common objects such as a spoon or pencil, although he can see them and describe them.
4. Post-traumatic epilepsy following brain injury.
Epilepsy following trauma refers to epilepsy that occurs after a traumatic brain injury.
Epileptic seizures are caused by abnormal discharges of neurons in the brain. 10% of severe non-penetrating brain injuries and 40% of penetrating brain injuries result in epilepsy, which may not manifest for several years after the injury.
The type of seizure is related to the location of the abnormal discharge origin.
5. Apart from conditions such as vomiting and intermittent access to fluids, which can cause disturbances in water and electrolyte balance, cerebral hyponatremia is also a potential complication.
Symptoms include sleep disturbance, convulsions, coma, edema, generalized weakness and muscle tone in the extremities, and reduced urine output.
6. Due to damage and adhesions in the brain parenchyma, cranial nerves may be affected or paralysis of limbs may occur. Additionally, abscesses, intracranial arteritis, and secondary epilepsy can occur.
Severe bacteremia can be accompanied by DIC and shock.
In addition, otitis media, pneumonia, and arthritis can also occur occasionally.
7. Tracheal nerve damage and paralysis.
For instance, deafness, visual impairments, strabismus, and facial nerve paralysis.
8. Cerebrovascular thrombosis leading to occlusion of the vessel lumen.
Inducing ischemic and infarction in the corresponding area of the brain.
What causes such serious injuries and sequelae of meningitis? What are the underlying causes of bacterial meningitis, which is caused by certain bacteria transmitted from one person to another? 1. Bacterial meningitis caused by a specific type of bacteria transmitted through contact.
There are three types of bacteria, namely Streptococcus pyogenes B, Neisseria meningitidis (bacteriophage), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus).
About 80% of bacterial meningitis in the United States.
Usually, these germs are carried by a small number of healthy people in the nose or on the body surface and do not harm the human body. They are spread through coughing or sneezing.
2. Tuberculous meningitis is an aseptic meningitis caused by tubercle bacillus, which accounts for 6% of all tuberculosis cases.
Following dissemination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection through the bloodstream, a tuberculosis nodule is formed beneath the dura mater. Once this nodule ruptures, a large number of Mycobacterium tuberculosis cells enter the subarachnoid space.
3. Viral meningitis may result from several viruses, including those that are associated with diarrhea. One of these viruses is likely to be transmitted by bites from lemmings or other rodents.
4. Cryptococcal meningitis may also be caused by fungi.
The most common type is Cryptococcus, which can be found in pigeons.
Healthy people are less likely to suffer from meningitis associated with fungi but not HIV infected individuals, a human immunodeficiency virus that can cause AIDS.
5. The type of pathogen causing acute purulent meningitis varies with the patient's age.
In adolescents, meningococcal infections are the primary cause.
The bacteria exist in the nasopharynx of patients and carriers, transmitted by droplets through the respiratory tract. After entering the upper respiratory tract, most bacteria cause only local inflammation to become healthy carriers.
Only a small percentage of patients with compromised immunity may allow bacteria to invade the bloodstream through the upper respiratory mucosa. Tuberculous meningitis.
And reproduce in the blood, reaching the meninges and causing meningitis.
In winter and spring, it can form an epidemic, which is called cerebrospinal meningitis.
6. Neonatal meningitis, the most common etiology, is caused by Escherichia coli and is typically transmitted through the birth canal.
Due to the lack of IgM in the body, E. coli can proliferate and cause disease.
7. Influenza bacteremia, primarily seen in infants and young children under the age of three.
Pneumococcal meningitis is common in infants and the elderly, with the former commonly resulting from otitis media and the latter often being a complication of lobar pneumonia.
8. Otogenic meningitis: Otogenic meningitis is an acute or chronic purulent inflammation of the dura mater and arachnoid that occurs in conjunction with suppurative middle ear and mastoiditis.
The treatment of meningitis generally involves hospitalization due to the severity of the condition. This necessitates prompt identification and timely initiation of therapy.
Standard treatment.
If encephalitis is diagnosed, it should be treated at a hospital until the infection is completely eradicated. This usually takes about two weeks.
If you have been infected with bacteriopharyngeal meningitis, large doses of antibiotic drugs may be used. They may be given by intravenous injection.
Antibiotics are widely used to treat bacterial meningitis.
Because antibiotics are ineffective against viral meningitis, antiviral drugs should be added.
They frequently use intravenous infusion and rest therapy.
Because encephalitis is contagious, the person will be put in isolation for at least 48 hours.
If the patient is sensitive to light, the room will be darkened.
At this time, you should drink plenty of fluids and take aspirin to reduce fever and headache.
The doctor may need to give the patient a shunt (a tube) in the sinuses and mastoid area (the bone behind the ears) to prevent further infection.
If the patient has Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis, doctors may administer prophylactic antibiotics to many people who have been in contact with the patient.
When a small epidemic of meningitis occurs, some people will be vaccinated against the disease caused by the bacterium that causes meningitis. Similarly, when one travels overseas to a region at risk for meningitis, such as the Sahara desert in Africa.
Further, vaccination against serotype 6 H. influenzae is now a fixed measure of childhood immunization.
Adjunctive treatment is required as encephalitis is a rapidly progressive condition that can be life-threatening. Therefore, prior to choosing therapy, emergency treatment should be administered.
The intention of the chosen therapy is to help patients recover their bodies and rebuild their immune systems so they can prevent relapse.
Undertake biofeedback therapy, undergo whole-body treatment or consult traditional Chinese medicine.
Traditional Chinese Medicine may advise patients to undergo acupuncture and moxibustion, or combine traditional Chinese medicine treatments to enhance their immunity.
Massage therapists or osteopathic therapists can also assist patients in regaining their physical strength.
Post-meningitis sequelae treatment is crucial after the treatment of meningitis, as the condition can have significant long-term effects on a baby's brain. The treatment for post-meningitis sequelae primarily involves the following aspects: 1. Drugs to promote nerve cell regeneration: For instance, 10 to 30 milliliters of Brain Vitality (a preparation containing neurotrophic factors) dissolved in 250 milliliters of saline is slowly administered intravenously over a period of 10 to 20 days daily, with each session lasting 10 to 20 days.
2. Drugs to restore normal cellular function: What are the sequelae of meningitis? The administration of 0.75 g of Citicoline in a 5% glucose solution or saline (250-500 ml) is given intravenously once daily, or alternatively, 0.25 g may be injected into the spinal canal.
3. Drugs to improve the environment of brain cells: For example, nimodipine can dilate cerebral blood vessels and improve cerebral perfusion, facilitating the delivery of nutrients to brain cells. Generally, starting treatment within the first hour, continuous intravenous infusion of 1 mg is administered, and if the patient tolerates it, it is increased to 2 mg/hour after 1 hour, continuing this for a continuous intravenous infusion over 7-14 days.
Additionally, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can improve the supply of oxygen to brain cells.
4. Physiotherapy.
5. Rehabilitation Therapy: This includes acupuncture and physical function exercises to promote recovery of limb functions.
6. Traditional Chinese Medicine: For example, Xingnongjing can invigorate the brain and mind, promote circulation and blood flow, cool the blood and detoxify, and is effective for both encephalitis and sequelae of cerebrovascular diseases.
Generally, 10 to 20 milliliters are dissolved in 25% to 10% glucose or saline solution of 250 to 500 milliliters for intravenous administration once daily.
6. Initiate physiotherapy for limb function as soon as possible to hasten recovery. 1) Ensure that the paralyzed limb is in a functional position.
2) For the conscious pediatric patients, it is important to show more concern and care for them, enhance their self-care abilities, and boost their confidence.
3) Regularly engage with the child in conversations to facilitate recovery of language functions.
4. Perform massage and stretch exercises on the limb muscles of the child as soon as possible.
During the recovery period, encourage and assist the pediatric patient in performing active limb exercises.
6) During the activity, proceed with caution and follow a gradual progression to prevent injuries.
Prevention of meningitis is important because the illness is generally severe, often difficult to completely cure, and often leaves a serious sequela after treatment.
Maintaining a healthy immune system and preventing recurrent meningitis requires a diet rich in low-fat, high-fiber, nutritious foods that minimizes sugar and processed food intake. Vitamins are also very beneficial.
Vitamin A (2500-10000 international units) per day, Compound Vitamin B (500mg three times a day), Vitamin C (500-2000 mg per day).
1. Early detection, and isolation for treatment at the site.
2. During the epidemic, it is important to promote hygiene measures. We should try to avoid large gatherings and group activities, and not bring children to public places. When going out, we should wear masks.
3. Medication Prevention: During the outbreak of meningococcal meningitis, any patient presenting with fever accompanied by headache should be treated with antibiotics.
Feeling listless.
Acute pharyngitis.
Two of four items such as skin, oral mucosa bleeding and so on can be symptomatic treatment. It can effectively reduce the incidence rate and prevent the epidemic.
4. Bacillus Prevention.
At the same time, the most fundamental method to prevent tuberculous meningitis is to protect children from tuberculosis infection. It is essential to ensure that children receive preventive vaccinations, starting with the BCG vaccine at birth, followed by booster shots every 3 to 4 years. Additionally, it is crucial to avoid contact with individuals who have tuberculosis.
When a child experiences recurrent low-grade fever and persistent cough that is difficult to cure, they should be taken to the hospital for a chest X-ray. If tuberculosis is confirmed, it should be treated thoroughly to prevent the infection from spreading to the brain.
If a child presents with prolonged low-grade fever, changes in mental status, persistent headaches, and vomiting, an cerebrospinal fluid examination should be conducted. If the diagnosis is tuberculous meningitis, it is imperative to administer thorough and standardized treatment to minimize the occurrence of sequelae.
The medical content mentioned in this text is for reference only and should not be used for any diagnostic or treatment purposes.
In case of discomfort, it is advised to seek medical attention immediately. The diagnosis and treatment are based on the medical assessment conducted in person.