Clinical predictors of epidemic outcome in meningococcal infection in Jos, Nigeria.

The clinical predictors of outcome in children admitted into the Emergency Paediatric Unit at the Jos University Teaching Hospital with meningococcal infection during an out-break of the disease (between February-April 1996) were studied. Eighty seven children were admitted with meningococcal infection during the period. There were 60 males and 27 females (M:F = 2.2:1), aged between five weeks and 16 years (mean 7.7 +/- 4.9 years). Overall mortality was 26.4 per cent. Eighty five per cent of the patients who presented in shock died, compared with nine per cent who presented without shock (p < 0.000001). Similarly, 65% of the patients who presented in coma died, compared with 12.5% who did not present in coma (p < 0.000001). Other factors associated with a poor outcome included age one year and below, petechial/purpuric rash on presentation and meningococcaemia. Complications were documented in 27 (31.0%) of the patients, consisting mainly of deafness, extensive vasculitis/ulceration of extremities, gangrene of legs hemiparesis and cranial nerve palsies.