Risk of Bacterial Meningitis and Death in Children with Cochlear Implants - Page 2

**Angel** · 02-06-2004, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malfoyish

Hmm. I had the surgery...and the vaccination...didn't do a thing. I got Bacterial Meningitis anyway.

Really?...Did your doctor tell you what causes it?....and if you had your vaccination how come it didnt protect from getting Bacterial Meningitis...I'm new on this...Would love to learn more!

Boult · 02-06-2004, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boult

We all knew the risk before undergoing surgery.

http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/safety/cochlear.html (updated as of July 2003)

Read the "Facts" in http://www.cdc.gov/nip/issues/cochlear/cochlear-gen.htm

In the first link I provided has part that says "Factors that may predispose cochlear implant recipients to develop meningitis" that may applies to her even after being vaccianted.

Malfoyish, so what brand of CI do you have? just curious..

**Angel** · 02-06-2004, 05:02 PM

ummm Boult ,

I am unable to look at those web sites you've post is there another web site I can look up?...

When I click those two .....This is what It said....[ Service Unavailable
The server is temporarily unable to service your request. Please try again later.]....

**Maria** · 02-06-2004, 05:05 PM

It works fine here with Boult's links *Winks* ...

Boult · 02-06-2004, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ^Angel^

ummm Boult ,

I am unable to look at those web sites you've post is there another web site I can look up?...

When I click those two .....This is what It said....[ Service Unavailable
The server is temporarily unable to service your request. Please try again later.]....

try again... it still works for me

**Angel** · 02-07-2004, 10:03 AM

Boult,

I got it now.....I typed the web sites in Internet Explorer and it works !

Thanks!..

**Liebling:-)))** · 10-08-2007, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malfoyish

Hmm. I had the surgery...and the vaccination...didn't do a thing. I got Bacterial Meningitis anyway.

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).

R2D2 · 10-08-2007, 01:48 AM

Deaf children are more at risk for bacterial meningitis anyway, with or without CIs. They don't really know why. So vaccination should be seriously considered for all deaf children.

Have a look at this link:
ScienceDaily: Hearing Loss In Children Leads To Substantial Meningitis Risk

**Liebling:-)))** · 10-08-2007, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R2D2

Deaf children are more at risk for bacterial meningitis anyway, with or without CIs. They don't really know why. So vaccination should be seriously considered for all deaf children.

Have a look at this link:
ScienceDaily: Hearing Loss In Children Leads To Substantial Meningitis Risk

Yes, that´s right but I prefer to not do CI surgery to risk my deaf babies/toddlers´s life.

Buffalo · 10-08-2007, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilenceGold

There's always a risk of bacterial meningitis regardless of that type of surgery was performed as long as it was around the head.
....
It really has nothing to do with CIs. It just has to do with the surgeries around the head. I've read a medicial journal about bacterial meningitis that tends to develop around in "air pockets" that are created by the surgery. It allows the bacteria the room to be able to grow without interpurtions from the body's immune systems (no blood or any other body fluids in the "air pocket").

I'll bet you that if a surgery is performed to where there is virtually no bacteria in that operating room....there'll be no bacteria going into those air pockets of your body. Other words, the safer the surgery is..the less likely you would get any infections.

I posted this to prevent any misinformation to develop and be spread.

Any cut/damage to the dura can causes meningitis. It can come from surgeries or severe injuries to the head. They do take care to make sure that the O.R. is bacteria-free. Still, one do come down with meningitis, although rarely.

R2D2 · 10-08-2007, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liebling:-)))

Yes, that´s right but I prefer to not do CI surgery to risk my deaf babies/toddlers´s life.

That's fine. It's a personal choice. Do you have deaf children?

Buffalo · 10-08-2007, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R2D2

Deaf children are more at risk for bacterial meningitis anyway, with or without CIs. They don't really know why. So vaccination should be seriously considered for all deaf children.

Have a look at this link:
ScienceDaily: Hearing Loss In Children Leads To Substantial Meningitis Risk

663,963 children born in Denmark between 1995 and 2004 and only 39 had meningitis.
600,000 people worldwide with CI and 90 had meningitis after CI.
Therefore CI people has higher chance of getting meningitis after CI.

It didn't say that the 663,963 children were born deaf. It sounds like that some were born deaf and some lost hearing later on. It said of the 39, five of them have hearing loss first then meningitis afterward. (I wonder how many of those 5 have CI before coming down with meningitis.) Does that means 31 of them became deaf because of meningitis? That's what it sounds like. If that is what it is, then deafness doesn't increase the risk of meningitis.

I personally knew two friends who became deaf after a bout with meningitis. Only one deaf friend came down with a bad case of flu that could be meningitis. I myself never had meningitis.

**Liebling:-)))** · 10-08-2007, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R2D2

That's fine. It's a personal choice. Do you have deaf children?

No.

I realized that I forget to add "if" in my previous post.

R2D2 · 10-08-2007, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buffalo

It didn't say that the 663,963 children were born deaf. It sounds like that some were born deaf and some lost hearing later on. It said of the 39, five of them have hearing loss first then meningitis afterward. (I wonder how many of those 5 have CI before coming down with meningitis.) Does that means 31 of them became deaf because of meningitis? That's what it sounds like. If that is what it is, then deafness doesn't increase the risk of meningitis.

The statistical incidence of deafness in the population is approximately about 1 in every 100 children. However, the incidence of meningitis in the Danish population of over 600,000 children was 5 deaf children out of 39 total cases, which is well overrepresented compared to the general population - to the order of twelve times. I know that this is a really rough way of looking at it and I'm sure Jillio might have a lot to say about the crude way I'm looking at the figures but I can see why the article is saying that pre-existing deafness appears to be a risk factor here.

john57 · 10-08-2007, 08:11 AM

Gee, this is a very old thread

**Liebling:-)))** · 10-08-2007, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john57

Gee, this is a very old thread

It make no difference either this is old thread or not. We still can update this thread whatever we like to.

Here:

Monday, October 08, 2007

Quote:

Children with Cochlear Implants at Increased Risk for Bacterial Meningitis

Children with a cochlear implant have a greater risk of developing pneumococcal (Streptococcus pneumoniae) meningitis compared to children in the general population, according to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and others published in the July 31 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). Additionally, children with a specific type of cochlear implant that had an extra piece called a "positioner" had 4.5 times the risk of developing meningitis compared to recipients of other cochlear implant types. The manufacturer voluntarily recalled the device with the positioner last year.

The CDC and FDA began investigating this possible link between the implants and meningitis in the summer of 2002 after receiving reports of bacterial meningitis among recipients of cochlear implants. As soon as the FDA became aware of a possible association between cochlear implants and bacterial meningitis, the agency issued a public health Web notice and began working with manufacturers of cochlear implants to determine the nature and scope of the problem. As a result, the company that made the implant with the extra positioner voluntarily withdrew that product from the market.

"This study is the result of excellent collaboration between the CDC, FDA and health departments of 36 states, Chicago, New York City and Washington, D.C," said HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. "The government quickly identified a health problem, took immediate steps to find the cause, and alerted individuals with cochlear implants and their physicians to measures they could take to protect against it."

The study authors note that individuals who are candidates for cochlear implants may have factors that increase their risk of meningitis compared to the general population even prior to being implanted with the device. However, the study was not designed to determine the risk due to these preexisting factors.

"These findings have important implications for children with cochlear implants. Most bacterial meningitis is vaccine-preventable so children who have a cochlear implant, or who will receive one, should have all recommended childhood vaccinations, including age-specific pneumococcal vaccinations for high-risk children," said Dr. Julie Gerberding, CDC Director.

"Working closely with CDC's network for monitoring infection outbreaks is an important part of how we monitor the safety of medical products in use in the population," said FDA Commissioner Dr. Mark. B. McClellan. "In this case, we identified a heightened risk of meningitis that demanded prompt action, and the FDA was able to take it."

Nearly 10,000 children and 13,000 adults in the United States with severe-to-profound hearing loss have a cochlear implant. The implant is an electronic device containing electrodes that are surgically inserted into the cochlea (inner ear) to activate nerve fibers and allow sound signals to be transmitted to the brain. It can help children with hearing loss perceive sounds and learn to speak.

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.

Nine of the 29 cases occurred within a month following the cochlear implant surgery, the remaining 20 occurred up to 36 months later.

The personal injury information on InjuryBoard.com is copyrighted material.

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

10-08-2007, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kalista

My kids and I went to the picnic and meet several parents who have Deaf children ages from 18 mos old to 13 yrs old. Know what, my kids stunned to hear those children at age 8 to 12. Their speech sounds like Deaf voice.

It was very painful for me to see those adorable babies with huge scar on little cute heads. The parents were thrilled that their babies are able to hearing like them. Oh please... It makes me very furious. Why can't those parents accept for their Deaf children who are.

I meet several teenager kids, they are unhappy what their parents make the decision for them. They prefer to be Deaf like us. It is really sad to see the parents make huge mistake decision what the best for their Deaf children.

I am very sorry, I do NOT support 18 mos old to teenager ages what the parents make the decision for them. I do respect for the adults's decision because it is their bodies.

I would NEVER agree with this medical society to allow 18 mos old babies to get a cochlear implants.

It is really SAD because FDA does not update accurately information how risky for those young kids get the cochlear implants. FDA does not want to scare the parents how dangerous for those young ages Deaf children get the CI.

Those Deaf children ALWAYS to be DEAF like us. Cochlear Implants does not cure to be hearing !!

I learned how to speak since I was three years old. I sat on the ****ing wooden chair to learn how to speak. Know what, I learned how to speak as a monkey's voice. What is the ****ing waste of my time to learn how to speak for all those years.

I do not learn another things in academic. I just learned how to speak M, N, P, F, etc... No wonder, I can speak accurately **** as perfect !! Other rest of words, I can't speak that very well.

My kids said, my speak sounds like a monkey and chicken. I really appreciated what R.I. School for the Deaf taught me how to speak like a monkey.

I am very against for 18 mos old Deaf babies get the cochlear implants.

Know what, my children said, if their children will be Deaf. They would rather NOT get them a cochlear implants even if the technology is much improved. They prefer to teach their Deaf children to using ASL as communication. Do not need to learn how to speak.

~ Sabrina

Oh Lord... Here we go again.

**Liebling:-)))** · 10-08-2007, 10:12 AM

rockdrummer, Kalista created this thread in 2003. We updated her thread here.

10-08-2007, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liebling:-)))

rockdrummer, Kalista created this thread in 2003. We updated her thread here.

Thanks Lieb... but where is the link?

**Liebling:-)))** · 10-08-2007, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockdrummer

Thanks Lieb... but where is the link?

Welcome

Accord my post # 46

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

john57 · 10-08-2007, 11:57 AM

I remeber that there was a problem with one of the implants that was using a prositioner that caused problems with infections and the like. The manufacture discontinued the use of the prositioner.

john57 · 10-08-2007, 12:33 PM

[QUOTE=Liebling:-)));850030]It make no difference either this is old thread or not. We still can update this thread whatever we like to.

Not a problem with me but some people may not realized that the date that this thread was created and at times the information can become dated. This in fact caused a problem with other medical boards that I am a member of and the thread became current because of a database problem and users did not know that the medical information given by the user was not current.

jillio · 10-08-2007, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R2D2

Deaf children are more at risk for bacterial meningitis anyway, with or without CIs. They don't really know why. So vaccination should be seriously considered for all deaf children.

Have a look at this link:
ScienceDaily: Hearing Loss In Children Leads To Substantial Meningitis Risk

Just because 5 out of 39 deaf children later contracted meningitis does not prove cause and effect. And, I would say for deafness to increase the risk of meningitis would be dependent quite a bit on eitiology and possible malformations withinthe ear structure itself. Theefore, not all forms of deafness would translate to an increased risk of meningitis for all deaf children. And,e ven if deafness increased the risk for meningitis in and of itself, then surgery on top of an already increased risk would even further increase the risk.

R2D2 · 10-08-2007, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillio

Just because 5 out of 39 deaf children later contracted meningitis does not prove cause and effect. And, I would say for deafness to increase the risk of meningitis would be dependent quite a bit on eitiology and possible malformations withinthe ear structure itself. Theefore, not all forms of deafness would translate to an increased risk of meningitis for all deaf children. And,e ven if deafness increased the risk for meningitis in and of itself, then surgery on top of an already increased risk would even further increase the risk.

Oh yeah, I agree but they don't even know yet what etiologies are causing the apparent corelation and why. I guess my point is that when statistics about CIs and children have been presented before, the children have been compared to hearing children, which I feel is not quite comparing apples with apples in terms of assessing how much additional risk is created and whether it's a small risk or a significant one.

It also does show that this is an area that is currently poorly understood and much more research needs to be done.

**Kalista** · 10-08-2007, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liebling:-)))

rockdrummer, Kalista created this thread in 2003. We updated her thread here.

Oh wow, it is four years ago. I didn't remember what I said.

**Kalista** · 10-08-2007, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liebling:-)))

Welcome

Accord my post # 46

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

Thanks for the update about the Children with Cochlear Implants at Increased Risk for Bacterial Meningitis.

I wish the parents would read this article before they make the right decision. I have seen three children have fluid in their ears and bad headache ages at 12, 14, and 15. They had their implants when they were 3 and 4 years old. Their parents admitted that they feel so guilty because their Deaf children are suffering with bad headache due to fluid inner their ears. I am not sure, what was exactly cause.

jillio · 10-08-2007, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R2D2

Oh yeah, I agree but they don't even know yet what etiologies are causing the apparent corelation and why. I guess my point is that when statistics about CIs and children have been presented before, the children have been compared to hearing children, which I feel is not quite comparing apples with apples in terms of assessing how much additional risk is created and whether it's a small risk or a significant one.

It also does show that this is an area that is currently poorly understood and much more research needs to be done.

Agreed. A comparison of deaf children without CI who have contracted meningitis, and deaf children with CI who have contracted meningitis would be a more realistic comparison base.

Cloggy · 10-09-2007, 04:16 AM

From here:
August 22, 2002
Update:
Cochlear Implants and Bacterial Meningitis

Patients who become deaf as a result of meningitis are also at increased risk of subsequent episodes of meningitis compared to the general population.

Cloggy · 10-09-2007, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillio

Agreed. A comparison of deaf children without CI who have contracted meningitis, and deaf children with CI who have contracted meningitis would be a more realistic comparison base.

With all your access to Medical Journals and University databases you would have no problem finding a study / article on it.
I'm looking forward to reading one of them.

10-09-2007, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloggy

From here:
August 22, 2002
Update:
Cochlear Implants and Bacterial Meningitis

Patients who become deaf as a result of meningitis are also at increased risk of subsequent episodes of meningitis compared to the general population.

My son became deaf as a result of menengitis due to a congenital malformation in one of his cochlea's in which there was a csf leak. In this scenereo an ear infection could manifest to menengitis. Until the CSF leak was packed he was at an extremely high risk of contracting menengitis again. Something the doctors overlooked. Dont even get me started on that one.

02-06-2004, 05:02 PM	#33 (permalink)
Angel ♥"Concrete Angel"♥ Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 19,089	ummm Boult , I am unable to look at those web sites you've post is there another web site I can look up?... When I click those two .....This is what It said....[ Service Unavailable The server is temporarily unable to service your request. Please try again later.].... __________________ "When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is brought in our life, OR in the life of another." ~ Helen Keller

02-07-2004, 10:03 AM	#36 (permalink)
Angel ♥"Concrete Angel"♥ Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 19,089	Boult, I got it now.....I typed the web sites in Internet Explorer and it works ! Thanks!.. __________________ "When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is brought in our life, OR in the life of another." ~ Helen Keller

10-08-2007, 01:48 AM	#38 (permalink)
R2D2 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 2,605	Deaf children are more at risk for bacterial meningitis anyway, with or without CIs. They don't really know why. So vaccination should be seriously considered for all deaf children. Have a look at this link: ScienceDaily: Hearing Loss In Children Leads To Substantial Meningitis Risk __________________ Left ear implanted 9th June 2006 Activated 29th June 2006 Right ear implanted 31st August 2007 Activated 18th September Both Nucleus Freedom Cochlear implant myths

10-08-2007, 10:12 AM	#48 (permalink)
Liebling:-))) Sussi 7.7.86 - 18.6.09 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Germany Posts: 31,038	rockdrummer, Kalista created this thread in 2003. We updated her thread here. __________________

10-09-2007, 04:16 AM	#58 (permalink)
Cloggy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Norway Posts: 4,706	From here: August 22, 2002 Update: Cochlear Implants and Bacterial Meningitis Patients who become deaf as a result of meningitis are also at increased risk of subsequent episodes of meningitis compared to the general population. __________________ . The limits of my language mean the limits of my world. . . . Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889 - 1951) Information about . . . . . . . . . Lotte Sofie . . . . . . . . . How the ear works . . . . . . . . . Parents info . . . . . . . . . Nonsense/ Myths about CI here or here.

Today
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02-06-2004, 05:05 PM	#34 (permalink)
Maria Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: WISCONSIN Posts: 10,309	It works fine here with Boult's links Winks ...

10-08-2007, 08:11 AM	#45 (permalink)
john57 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 455	Gee, this is a very old thread

10-08-2007, 11:57 AM	#51 (permalink)
john57 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 455	I remeber that there was a problem with one of the implants that was using a prositioner that caused problems with infections and the like. The manufacture discontinued the use of the prositioner.

10-08-2007, 12:33 PM	#52 (permalink)
john57 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 455	[QUOTE=Liebling:-)));850030]It make no difference either this is old thread or not. We still can update this thread whatever we like to. Not a problem with me but some people may not realized that the date that this thread was created and at times the information can become dated. This in fact caused a problem with other medical boards that I am a member of and the thread became current because of a database problem and users did not know that the medical information given by the user was not current.

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