Why Are Children and Teenagers More Vulnerable to Meningitis Than Adults?

why are children and teenagers more vulnerable to meningitis than adults?

Meningitis – also known as swelling or inflammation of the brain and spinal cord tissues – makes children and teenagers more susceptible to this life-threatening infection. According to doctors, meningitis can be caused by medications, injuries, and conditions such as cancer and even lupus - but the most common cause is infection.

Experts believe children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to meningitis compared to adults due to a combination of factors related to their immune system development and social behavior.

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“The primary reason for increased vulnerability in very young children is their underdeveloped immune system,” Dr Santosh Sontakke, consultant neurologist at Ruby Hall Clinic. A few other reasons can be:

Immature immunity

Babies and young children have less developed immune systems than older age groups. “They may have reduced numbers and functionality of innate and adaptive immune cells, which means their bodies are less effective at fighting off the bacteria and viruses that cause meningitis,” said Dr Sontakke.

Lack of acquired immunity

Babies and small children have had less time to be exposed to and build up natural immunity against the various strains of disease-causing bacteria and viruses.

Underlying medical conditions

“Children with certain medical conditions, like a history of frequent sinus infections, brain surgery, or who have cochlear ear implants, are at greater risk,” said Dr Atique Deshmukh, Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist, Saifee Hospital.

Head injuries

According to Dr Deshmukh, a serious head injury can also increase a child's risk of developing meningitis.

Lack of Vaccination

Children who are not up-to-date on recommended vaccinations, like the Hib vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine, are at higher risk for certain types of meningitis.

Signs and symptoms of meningitis

Doctors say symptoms of meningitis can be different in babies than in children and adults. In bacterial meningitis, fever, headache, and neck stiffness can come on suddenly, and your condition can worsen rapidly. A few symptoms include:

Neck stiffness
Nausea or vomiting
Sensitivity to light
Confusion or altered mental state
Lack of energy or being lethargic, extreme sleepiness, or trouble waking up
Lack of appetite
Small, round spots that look like a rash
Hallucinations
Loss of balance
Sleepiness or trouble waking up from sleep.

What causes meningitis?

Infectious diseases - caused by something harmful from outside of your body - and non-infectious conditions cause meningitis. Infectious causes are bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and the amoeba Naegleria fowleri. Non-infectious causes include diseases, certain medications, and other conditions.