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Meningococcal group Y disease in children
Pediatric Infectious Disease
|November 1, 1984
Summary
Neisseria meningitidis Group Y causes meningococcal disease in children aged 5-20. This uncommon pathogen primarily presented as meningococcemia with purpura fulminans in older children and adolescents.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Bacteriology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Neisseria meningitidis Group Y is an uncommon cause of invasive disease in children.
- Previous understanding suggested limited pediatric involvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and clinical presentation of Group Y meningococcal disease in children.
- To identify age-specific patterns of N. meningitidis Group Y infections.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of pediatric patients.
- Analysis of meningococcal disease cases managed between 1974 and 1982.
- Identification of causative serogroup and clinical manifestations.
Main Results:
- Neisseria meningitidis Group Y accounted for 24% of meningococcal disease in children aged 5-20.
- No cases were identified in children younger than 5 years.
- Meningococcemia with purpura fulminans was the predominant clinical presentation.
- Pneumonia, common in adults, was not observed in this pediatric cohort.
Conclusions:
- Group Y meningococcal disease has emerged as a significant cause of illness in older children and adolescents.
- Clinical presentation differs from adult populations, with meningococcemia being more common than pneumonia.
- This serogroup warrants consideration in the differential diagnosis of invasive bacterial infections in pediatric patients.