Predictors of outcome in acute meningococcal infection in children.

Objectives: To develop a rapid and sensitive method for identification of patients at risk for organ system failure and death due to acute meningococcal infection, and to evaluate the reliability of the Pediatric Risk of Mortality score in predicting mortality rates from acute meningococcal infection.

Design: A prospective study which followed a retrospective analysis.

Setting: The Emergency Department and pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) of a university-affiliated children's hospital.