title: Clinical predictors of epidemic outcome in meningococcal infection in Jos, Nigeria.
abstract: The clinical predictors of outcome in children admitted into the Emergency Paediatric Unit at the Jos University Teaching Hospital with meningococcal infection during an out-break of the disease (between February-April 1996) were studied. Eighty seven children were admitted with meningococcal infection during the period. There were 60 males and 27 females (M:F = 2.2:1), aged between five weeks and 16 years (mean 7.7 +/- 4.9 years). Overall mortality was 26.4 per cent. Eighty five per cent of the patients who presented in shock died, compared with nine per cent who presented without shock (p < 0.000001). Similarly, 65% of the patients who presented in coma died, compared with 12.5% who did not present in coma (p < 0.000001). Other factors associated with a poor outcome included age one year and below, petechial/purpuric rash on presentation and meningococcaemia. Complications were documented in 27 (31.0%) of the patients, consisting mainly of deafness, extensive vasculitis/ulceration of extremities, gangrene of legs hemiparesis and cranial nerve palsies.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Unit, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Angyo
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Okpeh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality*; D009549:Nigeria; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors