Risk of Bacterial Meningitis and Death in Children with Cochlear Implants

Liebling:-))) said:
Yes, it´s true. You are not only one who says this... Many children received vaccination but still they got Bacterical Miningitis after CI surgery. 3 toddlers died in Germany (see my post in first thread).
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Many? I'm surprised. Where did you see, "many", please?

Never mind; I found it. 29 out of over 4, 200. I don't think that is "many".
 
Tousi said:
Many? I'm surprised. Where did you see, "many", please?

Never mind; I found it. 29 out of over 4, 200. I don't think that is "many".
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That's 7%. To me "many" would be at least 20%. Not even close. But as you and I know, they won't be satisfied with anything until its 0%.
 
neecy said:
That's 7%. To me "many" would be at least 20%. Not even close. But as you and I know, they won't be satisfied with anything until its 0%.
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I personally think that 7% occurence of a serious illness is a tad on the high side but again feel that more research needs to be done because studies are not coming up with conclusive and clear results.

For example, the UK did their own study and found that none of the children in their cohort developed meningitis but 5 adults did. Of the 5 adults, 4 possessed at risk factors that were unrelated to implantation. Also, the cumulative mortality rate for all causes did not increase after implantation. So the researchers really need to be digging deeper to find out why those who do get meninigitis get it.

Results Of 1851 children (66 with positioners), none had contracted meningitis. Neither the incidence rate of meningitis, nor the cumulative mortality from all causes, differed significantly between implanted children and values expected for the general population. Of 1779 adults (139 with positioners), five had contracted meningitis with three fatalities. No case of meningitis involved a positioner and four of the cases, including the fatalities, possessed risk factors unrelated to implantation. Although the incidence rate of meningitis was significantly higher in implanted adults than the general population, cumulative mortality from all causes was never higher, and was significantly lower at some time points after implantation.
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Incidence of meningitis and of death from all causes among users of cochlear implants in the United Kingdom -- Summerfield et al., 10.1093/pubmed/fdh188 -- Journal of Public Health
 
Tousi said:
Many? I'm surprised. Where did you see, "many", please?

Never mind; I found it. 29 out of over 4, 200. I don't think that is "many".
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Is that the ratio or a specific group that was studied?
 
R2D2 said:
I personally think that 7% occurence of a serious illness is a tad on the high side but again feel that more research needs to be done because studies are not coming up with conclusive and clear results.

For example, the UK did their own study and found that none of the children in their cohort developed meningitis but 5 adults did. Of the 5 adults, 4 possessed at risk factors that were unrelated to implantation. Also, the cumulative mortality rate for all causes did not increase after implantation. So the researchers really need to be digging deeper to find out why those who do get meninigitis get it.



Incidence of meningitis and of death from all causes among users of cochlear implants in the United Kingdom -- Summerfield et al., 10.1093/pubmed/fdh188 -- Journal of Public Health
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Agreede, R2D2. 7% is significant.
 
neecy said:
That's 7%. To me "many" would be at least 20%. Not even close. But as you and I know, they won't be satisfied with anything until its 0%.
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I feel that 7% is too many...

I know there're no 0%... but 1%...
 
Tousi said:
Many? I'm surprised. Where did you see, "many", please?

Never mind; I found it. 29 out of over 4, 200. I don't think that is "many".
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This is your view...

For me, 29 is many...
 
It's not 7%....

CI-users in the article: 29/4264=0.0068 or 0.68%

Worldwide ocurance:for children (from general article..)
"Bacterial Meningitis in children and adolescents: an observational study based on the national surveillance system"
Results

The overall number of cases was 1023; the incidence ranged from 3.4 to 8.5 per 100 000 population, with the higher figures in children 1–5 years old (16.8 per 100 000 population). Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b and Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B were the main identified agents. The average case-fatality rate was 10.5% and the most lethal agents were Streptococcus pneumoniae (27%) and Haemophilus influenzae type b (10.7%). Overall percentage of cases who slept in overcrowded dormitories was 15%, reaching 30.6% in adolescents. Seasonality was only evident among meningococcal meningitis cases between September–October. The attendance to boarding high school showed an association with disease only in 1998 and 1999 (RR = 2.1; p > 0.05).
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Using 16.8/100000= 0.000168 or 0.0168%. So it's quite a difference from this point of view. A factor 40.

But as said, there is higher occurance when someone becomes deaf due to menigitis.

Also, parents of children with CI are (or should be) more focused on menigitis, and any hint of the desease will be acted upon immediately. (Same for adults with CI of course)
So, awarenes among the parents of these children is much higher than that of other parents. For the latter, a flue is just a flue. For the firts, a flue could be menigitis..

More info

Indiana University Health Center - Meningitis
How Many Meningococcal Meningitis Cases Occur Each Year?
The annual occurrence rate of meningococcal disease in the United States is 2.2 per 100,000. 1/3 of these cases are in children under the age of 5. Average mortality rates vary between 5% and 15% with early recognition and treatment being the crucial variables.

Children with Cochlear Implants at Increased Risk for Bacterial Meningitis News Article - Lawsuit news - Find Trial Lawyers and Attorneys with Experience in Children with Cochlear Implants at Increased Risk for Bacterial Meningitis News Article - Per
The study group involved 4,264 children who received a cochlear implant in the United States between January 1, 1997 and August 6, 2002, and who were younger than age 6 at the time of the implant.

A total of 29 cases of bacterial meningitis were identified in 26 children (three children had two episodes of the illness). Fifteen children had meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Less than one case of the disease would be seen in a group this size, during the same time period, based on the rates in the general population.

NEJM -- Risk of Bacterial Meningitis in Children with Cochlear Implants

CHS | News Release: Cochlear Implants and Bacterial Meningitis
“Over a period of 14 years, 52 cases of meningitis have been reported worldwide to Advanced Bionics Corporation and Cochlear Corporation. These have occurred in children and adults ranging in age from 21 months to 72 years who have undergone cochlear implantation for severe to profound deafness. A total of 12 known deaths have resulted from these cases. Two implant surgeons, Drs. Noel Cohen and Thomas Balkany, have recently surveyed cochlear implant centers and manufacturers in North America. They identified 22 cases (of the 52 worldwide cases) of meningitis. Nine cases were identified in patients with the Advanced Bionics CLARION device, 13 cases with the Cochlear Nucleus device, and no cases with the MED-EL Corporation device.”
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Liebling:-))) said:
I feel that 7% is too many...

I know there're no 0%... but 1%...
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Yes, I agree with you. I prefer 0%. I am extremely angry with many parents, they did not think more careful before they make the wrongful decision.

Unforunately, many doctors are pressure on the parents. They want the $$$$. grrrrrr
 
Kalista said:
Yes, I agree with you. I prefer 0%. I am extremely angry with many parents, they did not think more careful before they make the wrongful decision.

Unforunately, many doctors are pressure on the parents. They want the $$$$. grrrrrr
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I have not seen any parents here that made a wrong decision... Guess it depends on your perspective....

But from your perspective.... how do you know they did not "think carefully"?
Is it because... if they think carefully... then they will do it your way??

Kalista's answer: ................................................

And how much money does the doctor get??? Any numbers you can share, or is it just one of those Deaf culture myths that you try to keep alive??

Kalista's answer: ................................................
 
Cloggy said:
CI-users in the article: 29/4264=0.0068 or 0.68%

Worldwide ocurance:for children (from general article..)

Using 16.8/100000= 0.000168 or 0.0168%. So it's quite a difference from this point of view. A factor 40.

But as said, there is higher occurance when someone becomes deaf due to menigitis.

Also, parents of children with CI are (or should be) more focused on menigitis, and any hint of the desease will be acted upon immediately. (Same for adults with CI of course)
So, awarenes among the parents of these children is much higher than that of other parents. For the latter, a flue is just a flue. For the firts, a flue could be menigitis..

More info
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A flu is not meningitis. A flu is caused by virus, bacterial meningits is caused by a bacteria.
 
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