Decrease in Rates of Hearing Loss From Pediatric Bacterial Meningitis Over Time: A Database Review

Abstract

ObjectivesBacterial meningitis is a leading cause of acquired sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Treatment and prevention of bacterial meningitis have improved over time, but rates of neurologic complications have not been recently studied. The objective here is to present an updated population‐based review of hearing loss as a sequela of bacterial meningitis.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted between 2010 and 2022 of children discharged with bacterial meningitis, using the Pediatric Health Information System's (PHIS) database. Rates of hearing loss and mortality were evaluated over time.ResultsA total of 6138 children with a primary diagnosis of bacterial meningitis were identified (3520 male [57.3%], mean age 5.8 months [2.0, 61.2]). Of these, 277 (4.51%) were diagnosed with hearing loss. Children with hearing loss were significantly older (23.6 vs. 5.3 months, p < 0.01), but differences in gender, race, or ethnicity had no association with hearing loss. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Hemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningiditis were associated with significantly higher rates of hearing loss than other etiologies (p < 0.01). Children with hearing loss had a higher rate of receiving dexamethasone than children without hearing loss. Overall mortality rate was 2.1%. Hearing loss and mortality demonstrated significant decreases over the study period.ConclusionHearing loss remains a common sequela of bacterial meningitis despite widespread uptake of vaccines for preventing S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, and N. meningitidis. Dexamethasone was not associated with decreased rates of hearing loss in this cohort. From 2010 to 2022, there was a significant decrease in overall rates of mortality and hearing loss for children with bacterial meningitis.Level of Evidence3: retrospective case–control series Laryngoscope, 134:3820–3825, 2024