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Meningococcal disease in children in Merseyside, England: a 31 year descriptive study

Michelle C Stanton1, David Taylor-Robinson, David Harris

  • 1Lancaster Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom. m.stanton@lancaster.ac.uk

Plos One
|October 22, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Meningococcal disease (MCD) in UK children shows increased risk of death with septicaemia (MS) and links to social deprivation. The meningococcal C conjugate (MCC) vaccine significantly reduced serogroup C cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Meningococcal disease (MCD) is a leading cause of infectious death in UK children.
  • MCD commonly manifests as meningitis (MM), septicaemia (MS), or both (MM/MS).
  • Understanding MCD epidemiology and risk factors is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the changing epidemiology and clinical presentation of MCD in children.
  • To investigate associations between MCD, socioeconomic status, and mortality.
  • To evaluate the impact of the meningococcal C conjugate (MCC) vaccine.

Main Methods:

  • A 30-year hospital-based study (1977-2007) of 1157 children with MCD at Alder Hey Children's Foundation Trust.
  • Data collection included demographics, clinical presentations, microbiological confirmation, and socioeconomic deprivation measures.
  • Statistical analysis explored risk factors for mortality and associations with deprivation.

Main Results:

  • The majority of MCD cases occurred in children aged 1-4 years.
  • A significant decline in serogroup C cases followed MCC vaccine introduction.
  • Meningococcal septicaemia (MS) presentation and serogroup C disease were independent risk factors for mortality.
  • MCD cases originated from a more deprived population compared to the general reference population.

Conclusions:

  • Meningococcal septicaemia (MS) is a confirmed risk factor for MCD-related mortality.
  • Social deprivation is associated with an increased risk of MCD.
  • The MCC vaccine has been effective in reducing serogroup C meningococcal disease.

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