Severe meningococcal disease in childhood.
Meningococcal disease remains an important cause of illness in the UK (Commun Dis Rep CDR Suppl 1999; 9: S5), and is the commonest infective cause of death in children outwith the neonatal period. Although most common in children, adults are also affected. Meningococcal vaccines offer long-term protection only against Group C disease, which causes less than half of invasive meningococcal disease (Commun Dis Rep CDR Wkly 1998; 8: 2) in the UK.
Baines
P B
PB
Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital, Eaton Road, Liverpool L12 2AP, UK. paul.baines@rlch-tr.nwest.nhs.uk
Hart
C A
CA
D000328:Adult; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000382:microbiology; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D002353:Carrier State / Q000382:microbiology; D002648:Child; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000382:microbiology; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000032:analysis; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006440:Hemofiltration; D006801:Humans; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy* / Q000635:transmission; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000382:microbiology; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D018805:Sepsis / Q000382:microbiology; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use
D016207:Cytokines; D004731:Endotoxins; D013256:Steroids; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D002118:Calcium