Symptoms in the child
The symptoms of meningitis in children are essentially the same as those listed in the introduction, as they also occur in adults.The diagnosis is easier to make in children on the basis of the symptoms, mainly due to the usually existing neck stiffness, than in babies and infants. Nevertheless, to confirm the diagnosis, a puncture of spinal fluid is always performed again, also to determine the pathogen. As a complication, which occurs very rarely and rather with older children, the so-called Waterhouse-Friderichsen-Syndrome can occur.
It is usually caused by bacterial meningococcal meningitis. This complication is accompanied by severe internal bleeding, mainly affecting the adrenal cortex, which is an important producer of hormones and can no longer fulfill its function. In 90% of the cases the Waterhouse-Friederichsen-Syndrome is fatal.
Symptomatically, the children are conspicuous by strong bleeding signs on the skin, which initially look like small reddish spots and then increase in size as the bleeding progresses. This dreaded complication is one reason why one wants to recognize and treat meningitis as quickly as possible.
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