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Meningococcaemia: a life threatening complication of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy

F al-Zamil1, S al Ballaa, H Nazer

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The Journal of Infection
|January 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

A rare case of meningococcal sepsis (Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A) occurred in a child following diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. This highlights a potential, though uncommon, risk associated with endoscopic procedures.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is a common diagnostic and therapeutic procedure.
  • Complications, including infections, can arise from endoscopic interventions.

Observation:

  • A 4-year-old girl underwent a diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.
  • Following the procedure, the patient developed symptoms suggestive of a serious infection.

Findings:

  • The patient was diagnosed with septicaemia caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A.
  • This represents a rare instance of meningococcal infection post-endoscopy.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of recognizing rare infectious complications following endoscopic procedures.
  • Further vigilance and potentially enhanced prophylactic measures may be considered in pediatric patients undergoing endoscopy.

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