Meningococcemia

Alternative names:

meningococcal septicemia

Treatment:

Patients are admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital. Intensive monitoring and treatment are needed.

Supportive measures for shock include:

• IV fluids
• ventilatory support
• medical support of blood pressure

Medications include intravenous (IV) aqueous penicillin for antibiotic therapy to eliminate the infection, and high doses of corticosteroids for shock (must be given early). Clotting factors or platelet replacement may be needed if bleeding disorders develop.

Other treatments:

• wound care for thrombosed areas of skin
• respiratory isolation for first 24 hours

Expectations (prognosis):

Early treatment results in a good outcome. When shock develops, the outcome is more guarded. Profound shock, DIC (a severe bleeding disorder), and adrenal collapse all predispose the patient to a poor prognosis with possibility of a death. The absence of meningitis tends to have a poorer prognosis.

Complications:

• profound shock
• limb loss secondary to clots (thrombosis)
• irreversible shock
• disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC)
• Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome
• arthritis
• cutaneous vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels in the skin)
• pericarditis

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider immediately or go to the emergency room if your child has symptoms suggestive of meningococcemia.