title: Meningococcal disease in children and teenagers.
abstract: Meningococcal disease is a leading cause of death in children and young people. It causes two major disease processes, meningococcal septicaemia and meningococcal meningitis, and often results in long-term health complications. It remains a difficult disease to recognise and treat. This article, part one in a two-part series, discusses the epidemiology of meningococcal disease and explains its pathophysiology as well as signs and symptoms. Part 2, to be published on 19 March, will review diagnosis, management and prevention.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dowson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018805:Sepsis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology