This study compared postmeningitic children (N = 130) with grade and sex matched controls (N = 130) selected from target children's schools on
measures of intellectual, linguistic, learning, and reading
skills. Results showed that children with a history of
meningitis are at greater risk for impairment in these
areas, with experience of the disease prior to 12 months
of age being an important risk factor. Within the postmeningitic
sample presence of medical complications was associated
with poorer verbal abilities. Finally, a significant relationship
was identified between depressed language skills and later
educational difficulty, with these findings interpreted
with respect to both developmental and neuropsychological
principles. (JINS, 1997, 3, 147–158.)