ISSN:
1432-1076
Schlagwort(e):
Key words Meningococcal disease
;
Septicaemia
;
Meningitis
;
Mortality
Quelle:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Thema:
Medizin
Notizen:
Abstract Meningococcal disease (MCD) can present as meningitis, meningitis plus septicaemia or septicaemia alone. This 17-year retrospective study sought to determine if the proportion of cases presenting as septicaemia alone was increasing. Four hundred and forty-nine children with MCD were admitted between 1977 and 1993, 50 children died (11%). The proportion of cases with septicaemia alone increased from 7% in 1977–1985 to 36% in 1990–1993 (P 〈 0.0005). Mortality was highest in children with septicaemia alone (19%). Despite the increase in septicaemia, overall mortality did not alter over the 17 years. Conclusion MCD should not be thought of as "meningitis", since 33% of cases now present as septicaemia alone. Nearly one in five children with septicaemia alone die. Information and publicity about MCD should focus on septicaemia, characterised by a petechial rash, as the life-threatening presentation.
Materialart:
Digitale Medien
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02029358
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