Meningococcal Infections in Children

Abstract

THE clinical evaluation of new antibacterial agents has resulted in varied recommendations for treatment of meningococcal infection.^{1 2 3 4} Clinical response to sulfonamides^{5 6 7} is superior to that with penicillin,^{8 9 10 11 12 13} and it has also been demonstrated that chloramphenicol³ and the tetracyclines¹⁴ are effective against this organism. In addition to antibacterial agents various supportive measures such as vasopressor agents and steroids are thought to be of value. Case reports² suggest that a number of patients with the Waterhouse–Friderichsen syndrome have survived because of their use. With these facts in mind all records of patients with meningococcal infection admitted to the Los Angeles Children's Hospital . . .