Behaviour is not really at risk after surviving meningitis in childhood.

Aim: To examine behaviour problems, personality, self-perceived competence and academic deficits in children who had recovered from non-Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacterial meningitis (BM) without obvious medical sequelae. Methods: Assessments in 182 children, mean age 10 (range 5–14) years, 4–10 years after surviving meningitis, were compared to scores of norm reference groups. Results: More children were estimated to have academic deficits (27%) than behaviour problems as perceived by the parents (9%). The mean deviation from normal was absent to moderate on behaviour problems, personality variables and self-perceived competence. Conclusion: Children who survived non-Hib BM without severe medical sequelae hardly differ from normal children with respect to personality and self-perceived competence. A small proportion deviates from normal in behaviour problems.