Neurological Disorders and Use of Healthcare Services After Enteroviral Meningitis in Childhood: A Nationwide, Population-Based Cohort Study

BACKGROUND: Nervous system infections are associated with long-term risks of neurological disorders and healthcare service utilization, but little data exist on the long-term risks of enteroviral meningitis in childhood.

METHODS: We performed a population-based, nationwide registry-based matched cohort study (1997-2021). We included 925 children with enteroviral meningitis aged <17 years, a comparison cohort, and a cohort of siblings of all individuals. To illustrate short- and long-term risks of neurological disorders, we calculated 1-year cumulative incidences and age- and sex-adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) during years 1-20 of follow-up. We further calculated the annual proportion of individuals using antiepileptic medication and healthcare services.

RESULTS: Young infants (0 to <90 days) and older children (≥90 days to <17 years) had slightly increased short- and long-term risks of neurological disorders after enteroviral meningitis compared to comparison cohort members (1-year cumulative incidence: 1.4% vs 0.6%, and 1.5% vs 0.4%, 1-20-year adjusted hazard ratio: 2.0 [95% CI: 1.2-3.2] and 1.7 [95% CI: 1.0-2.8]). Older children had increased use of antiepileptic medication, as well as the use of health care services both before and after enteroviral meningitis, with a similar trend among their siblings.

CONCLUSIONS: Enteroviral meningitis in childhood appears to be associated with increased risk of short- and long-term neurological morbidity, though our estimates in older children may be confounded by prior neurological morbidity or increased healthcare-seeking behavior. Our findings suggest a generally good prognosis after enteroviral meningitis, though clinicians should be aware of the risk of neurological disorders in selected patients.