Meningitis in babies, toddlers and children : Signs, symptoms and what to do
Meningitis or meningococcal disease, is the most common infectious cause of death in the UK.
It causes the inflammation of the lining covering the brain and spinal cord and can lead to septicaemia – blood poisoning.
It can affect people of any age with the highest risk groups being:
Babies
Children under the age of five years
Those between the ages of 16-24 years
The elderly
Around 300 people die from meningitis every year and those that survive can be left with permanent disabilities.
Once contracted, it can kill in less than four hours, so if you suspect your child has Meningitis act quickly.
Symptoms
It is important to remember that not everyone will get all of the signs and symptoms. Some people will have little to no symptoms at all. Symptoms do not appear in any particular order.
General symptoms of Meningitis:
Headache
Stiff neck
Dislike of bright light
Difficulty supporting own weight
Fever
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Confusion
Drowsiness
Symptoms of Septicaemia:
Aching limbs
Cold hands and feet
Rash
Symptoms in babies
The risk for babies developing meningitis is estimated to be at least 38 times higher compared to children over the age of one. This is because their immune system is much less developed.
Bulging fontanelle
Fast breathing
High pitched cry
Stiff or floppy body
Very cold hands and feet
Fever
Blotchy pale skin, even blue
Vomiting
A rash
Sleepy or hard to rouse
May not want to be held or touched
Chopsy Baby editor Jen Smith says: “We were becoming alarmed at the number of people coming to the website by Googling for the symptoms of meningitis. It’s important for parents to know what the signs and symptoms of meningitis are and not to waste precious time looking on the internet.
“Young children go downhill very quickly. Trust your parental instincts and if they tell you to do so, dial 999. Ambulances can sometimes take forever to turn up, even for serious emergencies. Time is very important.”
The tumbler test
One sign of meningococcal septicaemia is a pin prick rash which quickly develops into a purple bruising. The septicaemia rash does not fade when a glass is pressed against it. Once this rash appears time really is ticking down but don’t feel reassured if the rash disappears as this has been known to happen.
What should I do?
If you suspect meningitis act fast. Go directly to your GP or casualty. Try to think clearly and practically. If it is rush hour you don’t want to get jammed in traffic. Though Ambulances should not be treated as a taxi service, never be afraid to dial 999 if necessary.
Steve Dayman of Meningitis UK who lost his own son to the disease, said: “Our advice to parents who think their child has meningitis is to go straight to the hospital. It’s important to act quickly because meningitis can kill in under four hours.”
Parental instinct
You know your own child or baby best. Having nursed them through other more minor illnesses your instinct will tell you when something is wrong. Trust this instinct because one of the problems with meningitis is that the symptoms can be mistaken for a cold or flu.
If you are very sure your child has meningitis but a doctor diagnoses something else, then what should you do? Steve Dayman says: “Meningitis is notoriously difficult to diagnose because its initial symptoms are similar to the cold and flu. Unfortunately, we regularly hear about cases when children are misdiagnosed by doctors and sent home. We always tell parents to trust their instincts as they know their children best.
“In a scenario where they are concerned about meningitis, parents need to be persistent. They shouldn’t take no for an answer and ask for a second opinion if necessary.
“If they still get sent home and there’s any sign of deterioration, then they need to move fast and go straight to hospital. Immediate treatment with antibiotics can make the difference between life and death.”
Steve Dayman lost his 14 month-old son Spencer in 1982 to meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia. He is now the chief Executive Executive of Meningitis UK, a national charity based in Bristol.
The charity was established in 1999 to fund a state-of-the-art dedicated meningitis research lab at the University of Bristol. Now it is the only charity in the country dedicated to the development of a meningitis vaccine. Although a vaccination exists to protect against some strains of meningitis, there is no existing vaccine for the most common and fatal form – meningitis B. This strain accounts for 90 per cent of all meningococcal cases.
The charity, which receives no government funding, relies on support from public donations. These are put towards supporting the latest lifesaving research and continuing to raise awareness of signs, symptoms and saving lives.
Meningitis UK offers the public free information packs, including a leaflet with facts and frequently asked questions. It also includes a ‘Check the Symptoms’ fridge magnet which has been credited with saving lives.
To order your free symptoms information pack, please call 0117 373 73 73 or visit: www.meningitisUK.org