A5V4d

Abbreviations and glossary
with bacteria or viruses. Bacterial meningitis is a serious condition associated
with appreciable mortality and significant neurological complications.
Meningococcal disease Any of a number of infections caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis
(also known as the meningococcus). In young children meningococcal disease
usually manifests as septicaemia, meningitis or a combination of the two.
Meningococcal septicaemia is the leading infectious cause of death in
childhood in the UK.
Meta-analysis Results from a collection of independent studies (investigating the same
treatment) are pooled, using statistical techniques to synthesise their findings
into a single estimate of a treatment effect. Where studies are not compatible,
for example because of differences in the study populations or in the outcomes
measured, it may be inappropriate or even misleading to statistically pool
results in this way. See also systematic review and heterogeneity.
Methodological quality The extent to which a study has conformed to recognised good practice in the
design and execution of its research methods.
Methodology The overall approach of a research project, for example the study will be a
randomised controlled trial, of 200 people, over 1 year.
Multicentre study A study where subjects were selected from different locations or populations,
for example a cooperative study between different hospitals or an international
collaboration involving patients from more than one country.
Nasal flaring An enlargement of the nostrils during breathing. Nasal flaring can indicate that
increased work is required for breathing.
Negative predictive value
(NPV)
The proportion of people with a negative test result who do not have the
disease (where not having the disease is indicated by the gold standard test
being negative).
Neonate A newly born child aged up to and including 28 days.
NHS Direct NHS Direct is a service that provides 24 hour confidential health advice and
information. NHS Direct can help people who are feeling ill, are unsure what to
do, would like to find out more about a condition or treatment, or need details of
local health services. The service can be accessed by:
visiting www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
going to NHS Direct Interactive on digital satellite TV (by pressing the
interactive button on the remote control)calling 0845 4647.
Nominal group technique A technique used for the purpose of reaching an agreement on a particular
issue. It uses a variety of postal and direct contact techniques, with individual
judgements being aggregated statistically to derive the group judgement. See
also consensus methods.
Non-experimental study A study based on subjects selected on the basis of their availability, with no
attempt having been made to avoid problems of bias.
Non-paediatric practitioner The term non-paediatric practitioner refers to a healthcare professional who
has not had specific training and does not have recognised expertise in the
management of children and their illnesses (cf. paediatric specialist). The term
is mainly used to refer to healthcare professionals working in primary care but it
may also apply to healthcare professionals in many general emergency
departments.
Non-systematic review See review.
Number needed to treat
(NNT)
This measures the impact of a treatment or intervention. It states how many
patients need to be treated with the treatment in question in order to prevent an
event which would otherwise occur. For example, if the NNT = 4, then four
patients would have to be treated to prevent one bad outcome. The closer the
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