16 November 2011
New research reveals increased risk of communication difficulties, mental health, memory and IQ problems in meningitis survivors.
Waveney MP Peter Aldous is supporting a new campaign raising awareness of the long-term effects of meningitis and calling for assessments and educational support to become routine for every child who survives the disease. Launched by the Meningitis Trust, the Meningitis Changes Futures campaign comes as new research highlights the often "invisible" but devastating impact of meningococcal disease on children.
One in four people who survive meningitis will suffer some form of long-term after-effect. While some suffer obvious after-effects, such as loss of limbs and blindness, others - who appear to have made a full recovery - are left with psychological and neurological problems that often go unrecognised. These children can be left struggling at school, deprived of the educational support they need to reach their potential.
According to new research, children who survive meningococcal disease (a type of meningitis) are:
Mr Aldous said:
“Parents who have had to watch their child fight for their life when meningitis has struck are now having to fight for their child to get the best chance in life. Recognition of the needs of these children must be recognised and I fully support this important campaign.”
As part of the Meningitis Changes Futures campaign, the Meningitis Trust is calling for every child survivor of meningitis to be assessed at different points in their educational life - as different problems can arise over time - so they can be given the support they need, when they need it. People are being urged to sign the Meningitis Trust education petition today at www.MeningitisChangesFutures.co.uk
Every year 2,500 cases of bacterial meningitis are reported in the UK, with children under five accounting for almost half of all cases. One in ten people will die, and many who survive the disease are left with after-effects such as brain damage, deafness, memory loss or epilepsy.
The Meningitis Trust is helping rebuild these lives by providing support for life for victims of the disease, including funding additional educational support through unique financial grants. Every year the Meningitis Trust helps 20,000 people in the UK and is determined to reach out to the 500,000 people in the UK who have had meningitis, and those who continue to contract it, providing support however it is needed.
Waveney MP Peter Aldous is supporting a new campaign raising awareness of the long-term effects of meningitis and calling for assessments and educational support to become routine for every child who survives the disease. Launched by the Meningitis Trust, the Meningitis Changes Futures campaign comes as new research highlights the often "invisible" but devastating impact of meningococcal disease on children.
One in four people who survive meningitis will suffer some form of long-term after-effect. While some suffer obvious after-effects, such as loss of limbs and blindness, others - who appear to have made a full recovery - are left with psychological and neurological problems that often go unrecognised. These children can be left struggling at school, deprived of the educational support they need to reach their potential.
According to new research, children who survive meningococcal disease (a type of meningitis) are:
- five times more likely to have speech, communication and hearing problems
- four times more likely to have mental health problems
- six times more likely to have epilepsy
- significantly more likely to have memory and IQ problems.
Mr Aldous said:
“Parents who have had to watch their child fight for their life when meningitis has struck are now having to fight for their child to get the best chance in life. Recognition of the needs of these children must be recognised and I fully support this important campaign.”
As part of the Meningitis Changes Futures campaign, the Meningitis Trust is calling for every child survivor of meningitis to be assessed at different points in their educational life - as different problems can arise over time - so they can be given the support they need, when they need it. People are being urged to sign the Meningitis Trust education petition today at www.MeningitisChangesFutures.co.uk
Every year 2,500 cases of bacterial meningitis are reported in the UK, with children under five accounting for almost half of all cases. One in ten people will die, and many who survive the disease are left with after-effects such as brain damage, deafness, memory loss or epilepsy.
The Meningitis Trust is helping rebuild these lives by providing support for life for victims of the disease, including funding additional educational support through unique financial grants. Every year the Meningitis Trust helps 20,000 people in the UK and is determined to reach out to the 500,000 people in the UK who have had meningitis, and those who continue to contract it, providing support however it is needed.
