Management strategy in purpura fulminans with multiple organ failure in children

Purpura fulminans (PF), which describes the necrosis of soft tissue secondary to diffuse microvascular thrombosis induced by transient protein C deficiency associated with meningococcal sepsis, is unusual despite the approximately 15000 cases of bacterial meningitis which occur annually in the USA. PF has a reported mortality of 50 per cent secondary to multiple organ failure which commonly accompanies the syndrome and is associated with major long-term morbidity in those who survive. Children who develop multiple organ failure in association with purpura fulminans are difficult management problems and benefit from the unique surgical and critical care resources available in burn centres. We describe our recent experience with three such patients and suggest a management strategy, the key components of which include early excision and closure of deep wounds, aggressive critical care management and long-term follow-up should delayed epiphyseal growth occur.