Severe Meningococcal Infections in Children and Adolescents

Infection with Neisseria meningitidis remains one of the most devastating illnesses in pediatrics. Affected patients can progress from a mild viral-like illness to death within a matter of hours. Additionally, the definitive clinical diagnosis cannot be reached until the characteristic petechial rash appears, making differentiating meningococcal infection from a benign viral illness impossible. This review will discuss the epidemiology, bacteriology, pathophysiology, treatment, and potential new therapies for severe meningococcal infections in children and adolescents.