Meningococcal infection in children

What is meningococcal infection

Meningococcal infection is an acute infectious disease caused by the meningococcus (Neisseria meningitidis). The disease is widespread around the world and is associated with a high mortality rate (5-15%), even with a high level of medical assistance.

• The infection is transmitted only from person to person through respiratory droplets.
• The incubation period is from 2 to 10 days.
• Epidemics of the disease most often occur in the winter and spring months.

The younger the child, the more prone they are to the risk of a fatal outcome. Therefore, vaccination of children against meningococcal infection is the best way to protect the health of young ones.

Forms and symptoms of meningococcal infection

Naso-pharyngitis

The localized form includes naso-pharyngitis (inflammation of the oropharynx). The initial symptoms are very similar to those of an acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI). The child experiences an increase in body temperature, develops a runny nose, feels a sore throat, and has enlarged lymph nodes. The site of inflammation is primarily located on the back wall of the pharynx.

In many cases, meningococcal nasopharyngitis does not progress to a generalized form of the disease – meningococcemia and/or meningitis.

Meningococcal meningitis

Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial infectious disease that affects the membranes of the brain.

The disease begins acutely, with the first symptoms being a rise in temperature to 38-40°C, chills, increased sensitivity to light (photophobia); often accompanied by inflammation of the mucous membranes of the throat.

• The child becomes lethargic, sometimes combined with capriciousness and irritability.
• During the examination, the pallor of the skin draws attention.
• The child complains of severe headache, often accompanied by vomiting.
• Due to the development of brain swelling in the first hours of the disease, consciousness may be impaired, and seizures may occur.

Characteristic meningeal symptoms appear rather early: the head is thrown back due to the rigidity of the neck muscles, hyperesthesia manifests with every movement or touch. If the child is seated, they lean on their arms extended backward.

In an infant, the fontanel is tense, hyperesthesia is sharply expressed, and when attempting to stand, the child does not rest on their feet but pulls them up (Lesse's sign).

Meningococcemia

Meningococcemia (meningococcal sepsis) is one of the severe forms of generalized meningococcal infection. It begins unexpectedly, with an increase in temperature to 39-40°C and pronounced intoxication.

• A headache, muscle pain, and pallor of the skin appear.
• After some time, a maculopapular rash is observed on the skin without specific localization.
• A few hours later, hemorrhagic ("starry") rash appears on the skin of the buttocks, thighs, shins, and lower half of the torso.

In this form of infection, many organs are affected, leading to infectious-toxic shock. This variant of the disease often progresses rapidly.

In this case, the outcome depends on the child's age and the form of the disease (the greater and deeper the affected organ systems, the worse the prognosis). The younger the child, the higher the mortality rate.

Importance of timely medical assistance

Timely summoned emergency care is a chance to prevent the development of the disease. The rapid progression of meningococcal infection often leads to death within 1-2 days from the onset of the illness, or to severe consequences, even in cases of early diagnosis and optimal treatment.

Vaccination against meningococcal infection

Therefore, immunization using safe and effective vaccines is the only rational approach in the fight against meningococcal infection. Currently, in the vaccination schedule of many countries, including the UK, Austria, Spain, the Netherlands, and the USA, mandatory vaccination of children against meningococcal infection has been introduced.

In Ukraine, this vaccination is included in the list of recommended vaccinations. At the same time, for a child to travel to children's camps abroad, this vaccination is mandatory when obtaining a medical certificate.

Currently, in the children's medical centers of the MM “Dobrobut,” the vaccine against meningococcal infection is available in sufficient quantities.