[Clinical aspects and outcome of meningococcal disease due to Neisseria meningitidis of serogroup W135 in 5 children].

Meningococcal disease due to Neisseria meningitidis of serogroup W135 (N. meningitidis W135) is increasing in France. Clinical and outcome data concerning these infections in children are scarce. We report five cases of children hospitalized between June 2000 and December 2002 for N. meningitidis W135 infection. Extra-meningeal septic and/or non-septic complications were frequent and a prolonged post meningococcal inflammatory syndrome was reported. In N. meningitidis W135 infections a careful clinical evaluation of potential extra-meningeal complications and a long term follow up of children are needed.