An epidemic of meningococcal disease in Karachi (Pakistan): a study of children.

A prospective study of 112 cases of epidemic meningococcal infection in the paediatric population is presented. The natural course of the disease, its complications, prognostic factors and therapeutic agents were studied. The cases were graded according to fixed criteria of severity which correlated well with the outcome of the disease. The gram-stain of the CSF was a sensitive and a quick method of diagnosis and crystalline penicillin a cost-effective therapy giving a good response within 48 hours in 90% of the cases.