External validation of a prediction rule regarding academic or behavioural problems after bacterial meningitis in childhood (WC2006-018)

Background

Starting date: 01/06/2006 Bacterial meningitis (BM) is a serious infection of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects about 1 per 100 000 children in the Netherlands each year. Severe sequelae, such as hearing loss, motor problems, seizures and mental retardation occur in 15% of the children who survive BM. More subtle adverse outcomes such as cognitive, academic and behavioural limitations are present in more than 20%. Koomen et al developed a prediction rule to identify postmeningitic children at high risk of academic and behavioural limitations. This rule was published in 2004. The goal of this project is to perform an external validation of this rule so it can be used in clinical practice.