Slack baby may indicate meningitis

Slack baby: In case of meningitis suspected immediately to the doctor

13.02.2012

The Association of Paediatricians advises parents to seek medical attention immediately if the baby is suspected to have a meningococcal infection, as the condition may be dramatic. The pediatrician Martin Terhardt explains typical symptoms of meningitis.

Meningococcal infections can be fatal
Meningococci are bacteria that can cause meningitis and blood poisoning. „Many parents are aware that meningococcal meningitis and sepsis often present with small pin-sized dark red, blue or even brownish spots on the skin. However, it is wrong to assume that these develop in any case“, explains Martin Terhardt from the Professional Association of Paediatricians.

Every year around 400 people in Germany develop a meningococcal infection. About 10 percent of those affected die of it, 10 to 20 percent suffer permanent disabilities, the association said. The most vulnerable age groups include children under five and adolescents aged 15-19.

„Babies with a fever who feel flabby and have little or no responsiveness to stimuli, do not want to be touched, breathe quickly, and make whining noises whose fontanelles protrude need to be examined and treated quickly. For a meningococcal disease can take a dramatic course within a few hours. If the doctor is not visited in time, it can often be too late. This is why meningococcal infections are so feared“, explains Terhardt.

Standing Vaccination Commission advises against vaccination against meningococci
Especially in the cold season is the infection by droplet infection high. Since compliance with the usual hygiene rules is not sufficient to prevent infection, the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) at the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) advises parents of children in the second year of age since 2006 to be vaccinated against meningococcal serogroup C. This is the meningococcal disease. Species that is very dangerous and widespread in Germany. Parents whose children are older but not vaccinated, the STIKO advises on the subsequent vaccination. Until the age of 17 vaccination costs would be reimbursed by the statutory health insurance. „Parents should make up for the meningococcal vaccine in their not yet vaccinated schoolchildren right now, because for teenagers, the risk of infection is then again particularly large“, explains Terhardt, member of STIKO.

Vaccination opponents point to vaccine risk
It is well known that vaccinations also carry risks. Uncertain parents should weigh the benefits of vaccination against the risk. A detailed conversation with the pediatrician is therefore essential. For vaccine opponents, the significantly increased number of cases of sudden infant death after vaccination is evidence enough of the serious health consequences vaccinations can have on infants. Pharmaceutical manufacturers and government institutions rule out a link between deaths and vaccinations in most cases. (Ag)

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Image: Sabrina Gonstalla