Tribute to the centenary of Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome: a case report

Abstract

The Waterhouse-Friderichsen Syndrome was first reported by Rupert Waterhouse exactly 100 years ago on March 4th, 1911. It is an acute infectious disease that generally progress to a lethal outcome despite the adoption of all available resources of an intensive therapy unit. We describe an illustrative case of meningococcal meningitis C. This report details the clinical, pathological and therapeutic features of a patient of 3 years and 4 months who had a fulminating evolution, despite adherence to updated recommendations for the treatment of pediatric septic shock. We stress the little change in clinical and pathological aspects of Waterhouse-Friderichsen Syndrome during the last 100 years, despite tremendous advances in therapy and technology of the pediatric intensive care.

Keywords

• Waterhouse-Friderichsen Syndrome
• Purpura fulminans
• Shock septic
• Meningitis meningococcal
• Adrenal insufficiency.