title: Review of meningococcal infection in children at a United Kingdom hospital.
abstract: Sixty-nine children were identified and evaluable. Forty-one (60%) presented with hypotension and/or abnormal neurological signs. In 34 (49%) a petechial rash was present on admission. Of note, 13 (19%) had a non-petechial rash, and rash was absent in 19 (28%). Twenty-one (30%) presented with meningism or meningitis. In one child the illness was so mild that the child was discharged prior to making a diagnosis. Five children died (7%). Sixty-three cases (91%) were diagnosed by blood or cerebrospinal fluid culture; these investigations remain the mainstay of diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Northampton General Hospital, Northampton, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hovenden
authors.forename: D N K
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Symon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005076:Exanthema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008580:Meningism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology