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Knee pain: an unusual late complication of meningococcal septicaemia

Sarah L Woolley1, David R K Smith, Julia Surridge

  • 1Emergency Department, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Bristol, UK. sarah.woolley@ubht.nhs.uk

European Journal of Emergency Medicine : Official Journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
|May 1, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Meningococcal disease can cause long-term orthopaedic issues in children, even after recovery. This case highlights chronic sequelae in a young survivor, emphasizing the need for awareness in emergency medicine.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatric Orthopedics
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a significant cause of pediatric mortality and morbidity.
  • Survivors of IMD face risks of long-term microvascular and other sequelae.
  • Chronic orthopedic complications of IMD are rarely documented in medical literature.

Observation:

  • A 7-year-old boy presented to the Emergency Department with a limp.
  • The patient had a history of invasive meningococcal disease at 14 months of age.
  • Radiographs revealed long-term orthopedic sequelae resulting from the severe illness.

Findings:

  • This case illustrates chronic orthopedic sequelae following invasive meningococcal disease in a pediatric patient.
  • Radiographic evidence confirmed long-term musculoskeletal complications.
  • The literature review indicates infrequent reporting of such orthopedic issues.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of recognizing potential long-term orthopedic sequelae in IMD survivors presenting with musculoskeletal complaints.
  • Suggests a need for increased awareness among emergency physicians regarding these rare but significant complications.
  • Underscores the value of comprehensive patient history in diagnosing delayed complications of severe childhood infections.

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