Meningococcal disease and its management in children

doi:10.1136/bmj.38968.683958.AE

BMJ 2006;333:685-690 (30 September), doi:10.1136/bmj.38968.683958.AE

Clinical review

Meningococcal disease and its management in children

C Anthony Hart, professor of medical microbiology¹, Alistair P J Thomson, honorary consultant paediatrician²

¹ Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GA, ² Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital (Alder Hey), Liverpool L12 2AP

Correspondence to: C A Hart cahmm@liv.ac.uk

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Introduction

Meningococcal disease produces a considerable global burdenof disease. In this clinical review we focus mainly on meningococcaldisease in the United Kingdom, but we also acknowledge the widerissues across the world. Meningococcal disease, which may presentclinically as septicaemia, as meningitis, or with a mixed picture,is caused by infection with Neisseria meningitidis or meningococcus.

Recent advances include greater knowledge about the pathogenesisof meningococcal disease, work to facilitate its early diagnosis,and some evidence of improved outcomes after meningococcal disease.Despite these advances, valid evidence from large controlledstudies is scarce, so most recommendations are based on consensusor tradition rather than on firm scientific evidence.

Description of the disease only as "meningitis" is inaccurateand misleading to patients and professionals. Septicaemia isthe more dangerous clinical syndrome,¹ which needs urgent treatment;meningitis also needs rapid treatment but is more likely tolead to neurodevelopmental sequelae. In . . . [Full text of this article]

Meningococcal infection

How is it diagnosed?

How is meningococcal disease managed?

What are the outcomes of meningococcal disease?

How can meningococcal disease be prevented?

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