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Aim: This study examined the predisposing factors, clinical picture, bacterial aetiology and clinical outcomes of infants and children with bacterial meningitis (BM)., Methods: The medical records of patients under 16 years of age, treated by Turku University Hospital, Finland, from 2011 to 2018, were screened for meningitis using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes. Patients were included if bacteria were detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or other predefined laboratory variables indicated BM, despite CSF testing negative for bacteria. The Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was used to determine outcomes., Results: We identified 37 children with BM: 22 infants aged 0-89 days and 15 children aged 90 days to 15 years. The overall incidence was approximately 5.7/100 000/year. Nosocomial meningitis was documented in 51%. Bacterial growth was detected in the CSF or blood cultures of the majority of patients (57%). Escherichia coli (14%), group B streptococcus (11%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (8%) were the most common pathogens. There were 14% of patients with unfavourable outcomes, namely GOS scores of 1-4, but no deaths., Conclusion: The incidence of paediatric BM was low during the study period, but the proportion of nosocomial meningitis was substantial. The frequency of unfavourable long-term outcomes was relatively low., (© 2023 The Authors. Acta Paediatrica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Foundation Acta Paediatrica.)

Aim: Bacterial meningitis (BM) is a common cause of hearing loss in childhood. Our aim was to investigate bacterial aetiology, hearing impairment and outcome in childhood BM with vs. without otitis media (OM) in Angola., Methods: Hearing was tested by auditory brainstem response in 391 (76%) children with confirmed BM. The bacteria identified from the ear discharge were compared to those from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The hearing findings were compared among children with vs. without OM on days 1 and 7 of hospitalization, and at follow-ups of 1, 3 and 6 month(s)., Results: No correlation was found in bacteriology between the ear discharge and CSF. On day 7 in hospital, hearing impairment (>40 dB) was common, regardless of whether concomitant OM or not (in 27% vs. 30%, respectively). Any hearing deficit on day 7 was associated with a higher risk of complicated or fatal clinical course (OR 2.76, CI 95% 1.43-5.29, p = 0.002)., Conclusion: No significant difference prevailed in hearing thresholds between children with or without OM in hospital on day 7 or at later follow-ups. Any hearing impairment during hospital stay associated with a higher risk for complicated clinical course or death., (© 2022 Foundation Acta Paediatrica. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Aim: To assess whether relative age was associated with bullying involvement and whether the associations were independent of child psychiatric symptoms., Methods: Bullying was assessed among 8576 children in the second grade, aged 8 years, by using four cross-sectional population-based studies with identical methodology completed by children, parents and teachers in 1989 (response rate 97%), 1999 (93%), 2005 (90%) and 2013 (86%). The main outcomes were bullying victimisation and perpetration. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated with the relatively oldest as the reference group and adjusted for child psychiatric symptoms., Results: The relatively youngest children, born September to December, were compared with the relatively oldest, born January to April. The youngest children had increased odds of being victims according to child (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.4) and parent reports (OR 1.2 95% CI 1.008-1.4). The youngest also had decreased odds of being perpetrators according to child (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.7-0.96) and teacher reports (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.7-0.95). These findings were independent of psychiatric symptoms., Conclusion: The relative age effects which were found in bullying involvement were independent of psychiatric symptoms. Considering this newly recognised risk factor for victimisation is important within anti-bullying practices., (© 2020 The Authors. Acta Paediatrica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Foundation Acta Paediatrica.)

Aim: There are few population-based studies on bullying behaviour among preschool children. The aims of the study were to investigate the prevalence of bullying behaviour among four-year-old children, as reported by their parents, the prevalence of types of bullying behaviour and the associations between bullying behaviour and psychosocial factors., Methods: This study was based on a population-based study sample of 931 children who attended their check-up at a child health clinic at four years of age. Parents completed the questionnaire about their child's bullying behaviour and risk factors during the check-up., Results: Bullying behaviour, especially being both a bully and a victim, was a common phenomenon among four-year-old children. Being a bully or both a bully and victim were most strongly associated with conduct problems, while being a victim was associated with somatic symptoms and peer problems., Conclusion: Bullying behaviour was frequently found in preschool children and associated with a wide range of other problems, which indicate that routine checking of bullying behaviour should be included in child health clinic check-ups. Bullying prevention programmes are usually targeted at school-aged children, but this study highlights the importance of focusing already on preschool children., (©2016 Foundation Acta Paediatrica. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)