Meningococcal disease in infants: a potentially difficult and serious diagnosis.

Most children with meningococcal disease have apparent clinical signs of illness, but some do not initially present with clinical toxicity. These children with unsuspected meningococcal disease may potentially be discharged after outpatient evaluation and may deteriorate rapidly. We present the case of a 15-week-old infant boy who was brought to a private physician with symptoms of a common cold and was sent home. Three days later, his parents brought him to the hospital emergency department stating he was congested and crying a lot. He was again discharged. Another 2 days passed and his parents returned to the emergency department complaining that the infant was experiencing breathing problems. Following an examination, he was admitted to the hospital where symptoms worsened. Several hours after the infant was brought to the emergency room, he succumbed to what was later confirmed to be meningococcal disease.