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Risk of Bacterial Meningitis in Children with Cochlear Implants

July, 2003

Many people have received cochlear implants to help them hear and communicate. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been looking at a possible link between cochlear implants and meningitis. This study is now complete and has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study had two purposes: (1) to find out how many children who had cochlear implants got bacterial meningitis afterwards, and (2) to find out if there are factors that might make it more likely that someone would get meningitis after getting a cochlear implant.

The CDC web site provides information about the study results, as well as sources where you can find more about cochlear implants, meningitis, and a link to the New England Journal of Medicine article.

CDC Study: Risk of Bacterial Meningitis in Children with Cochlear Implants

Also see: FDA Public Health Web Notification

You can also read about cochlear implants on the NIDCD web site:
Cochlear Implants
More About Cochlear Implants...

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