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Children's health

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1 month old has meningitis

16 replies

MrsHf · 08/11/2023 13:01

My dd was admitted to hospital last week with a temperature, no other symptoms (I only took her in because of her age, being so little with a high temp) and they confirmed it was meningitis a few days later, because they’d started the antibiotics before doing the lumbar puncture they could never confirm what type of bacteria it was but the viral test came back as negative so they said it must be bacterial. Has anyone got any positive stories about outcomes of meningitis, she was never unwell or not herself and the antibiotics were started within a few hours of her having a temp but I’m so worried about the long term affects. I just want someone to tell me she’ll be fine, I feel like I’m going to be watching her for years to come wondering what the affects will be 😢

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onlyoneoftheregimentinstep · 08/11/2023 13:17

My DGD was admitted with a high temp at 3 weeks and subsequently diagnosed with meningitis. She was started immediately on antibiotics, which were changed once the diagnosis was confirmed, and stayed in hospital for five days. She had a routine follow up hearing test, which was fine, She's nearly two now and has never had any after affects. Hopefully your DD will be the same!

MrsHf · 08/11/2023 13:39

@onlyoneoftheregimentinstep Thank you! So pleased to hear your DGD made a full recovery!
Stories like yours are much more reassuring than google.

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brujarosada · 08/11/2023 13:41

Wishing you and your daughter well Flowers

fearfuloffluff · 08/11/2023 13:53

Don't go anywhere near Google, OP. It amplifies the worst outcomes and isn't that accurate, or applicable to your situation.

You're in a horrible situation but all you can do is take one day at a time and do what you can to make DD comfortable.

DS3 was in hospital with sepsis earlier in the year, critically ill and on a ventilator, could have died. No one could say he would be fine for a while. There was a risk of neural damage, brain damage etc.

It was absolutely brutal. He did turn the corner though, within a month he was back up running around and no lasting effects. When it was uncertain, I just had to hope for the best. That was literally it. Take care of your own need for food, water and sleep.

The nurses said going for short walks will help your brain process it. I found talking to friends about it also helped.

MrsHf · 08/11/2023 16:54

@fearfuloffluff that sounds so scary, so glad he’s ok, little ones seem to bounce back so much quicker than adults. It’s so hard to keep your anxiety in check when it’s your child isn’t it, I can’t imagine how you must have been feeling! I’m a nervous wreck and keep crying at every little thing now.

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Mammmayy · 08/11/2023 17:07

My child had meningitis in the exact same circumstances as you. (Same age, same issue with the bacterial/early antibiotics etc) Its an absolutely awful time you’re in, the fear of wondering if your baby will be ok, coupled with the worry of what the long term outlooks look like.

We had a brain scan around day 5, have you had this yet? And the test to check kidney function etc? If all that is clear then that’s great news.

We stayed in the hospital for around a week, then went home and came back to hospital at 6am and midnight for antibiotics, a nurse came to us at 2pm.

Once she was signed off we then had follow up visits with a consultant every few months and regular head measuring as well as a hearing and sight test.

Pleased to report that my child has zero long term effects from the meningitis and is a perfectly happy, smart girl currently in year 2!

She was signed off from the consultant at around age 2 when it was clear she was meeting milestones. Try not to panic, mine was a slow walker and I worried constantly in ways I didn’t about my eldest. You almost fall into a trap of looking for every milestone bang on the dot and if they’re not early/on time, you panic. But it all was all fine.

Wishing you all the best and please don’t forget to look after yourself in this time. X

MrsHf · 08/11/2023 20:52

@Mammmayy thank you, that’s really reassuring to hear. They don’t do a brain scan or kidney tests, they let us home on “home stay” yesterday and have to go back to the hospital once a day for antibiotics. But she never had any further tests once they diagnosed it, her blood tests were all normal when she was admitted and they only repeated them on the second night in and that was the last test she had.
Booked to see Her consultant in 3 months and a hearing test but no other follow up has been planned.

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Medenagan · 08/11/2023 21:34

My brother had it when he was 3 months old. It was utterly terrifying for my parents, but he made a full recovery and is now a happy, healthy, lovely man, with no apparent after-effects. He is clumsy and accident-prone, but so am I, so that may not be linked to the meningitis! Sending you very best wishes and hoping that your daughter makes a quick and full recovery. X

hotcandle · 08/11/2023 21:37

Big hugs OP! X

overmydeadbody · 08/11/2023 21:41

Hi. My ds had it at 5 weeks and spent ten days in hospital then a further ten days with daily visits for antibiotics. Utterly terrifying time

He's 5 now and incredible. He does however have a severe speech disorder and they cannot rule out that it might be linked. We'll never know though. He is happy, healthy, clever and popular with his friends and works hard at trying to speak.

I hope your little one is ok.

Alarae · 08/11/2023 22:45

My DD had it from birth and spent two weeks in NICU. They started her on antibiotics straight away but she had two seizures in the first 24 hours, which later showed on a MRI to have caused brain infarcts on her occipital lobe. The doctors explained that this part was in charge of processing, so she wouldn't be blind, but may have trouble understanding what she could see.

This sounds scary, and it was as I lived through it and still do. However, my daughter is now 3.5 and thriving. She was discharged from her paediatrician around 2, but they would have her back if I had any concerns. If you saw her, you wouldn't know anything had happened.

We were told that as children's brains are constantly growing and developing, they have an amazing ability to rewire themselves (neuroplasticity). Adults can also do it, but it's much more prevalent I believe in kids.

I would tell you not to google but I know you will. I did, and I got all sorts of bad things in my head, worrying about the future. I still worry now even though DD seems fine, but I'll always have the voice in the back of my head of 'what if'. It's quieter nowadays, but still there.

Hand hold, OP. I hope your little one recovers quickly.

lisalisa · 08/11/2023 22:48

I couldn’t pass this by . 24 years ago my ds was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis when he was 10 days old and spent a fair amount of time in St Mary’s in Paddington .
he has absolutely no ill effects now - is a charming , handsome successful young man with excellent hearing and full use of all limbs . Pls try not to worry ; many can and do come out if this with good health. I’m thinking if you x

Dotcheck · 08/11/2023 22:51

Thinking of you and your little one 💐

PointeShoesandTutus · 08/11/2023 22:51

I'm so sorry to hear your little one has been so poorly.

I don't have any advice at all, but wanted to say that I was struck so forcibly with admiration for you (and the others that posted) - how incredible to notice, act on your instincts and get the right help so early. Without a doubt that will have given your little girl the best chance, so without meaning to sound patronising I hope you're seriously proud of yourself.

Wishing your DD a full and quick recovery.

PickledMuffin · 08/11/2023 22:55

No advice but wishing your daughter well. Sending virtual hugs 🤗 xx

MrsHf · 09/11/2023 09:16

Thank you everyone so much, this thread has made me feel so much better! Feel so reassured to hear from you all who have lived through this as well ❤️

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