Waterhouse Friderichsen Syndrome: Medico-legal issues
The Waterhouse-Friderichsen Syndrome (WFS) is a pediatric emergency characterized by high mortality due to the combination of bilateral adrenal haemorrhage, meningococcal infection and cutaneous purpura. WFS often raises medico-legal problems related to missed or delayed diagnosis mainly related to...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2021-11-01
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| Series: | Forensic Science International: Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665910721000669 |
| _version_ | 1819172918085550080 |
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| author | Pasquale Mascolo Alessandro Feola Pierluca Zangani Davide Famularo Bruno Liguori Gelsomina Mansueto Carlo Pietro Campobasso |
| author_facet | Pasquale Mascolo Alessandro Feola Pierluca Zangani Davide Famularo Bruno Liguori Gelsomina Mansueto Carlo Pietro Campobasso |
| author_sort | Pasquale Mascolo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Waterhouse-Friderichsen Syndrome (WFS) is a pediatric emergency characterized by high mortality due to the combination of bilateral adrenal haemorrhage, meningococcal infection and cutaneous purpura. WFS often raises medico-legal problems related to missed or delayed diagnosis mainly related to the short clinical course, the sudden onset of symptoms and unexpected death. We report the death of a 2-year-old child who had no other pathologies. Death occurred quickly about 20 h after the first care visit. The forensic autopsy was ordered following the parental complaint for diagnostic delay in primary care. Clinical data, autopsy and histological findings were consistent for WFS by Neisseria meningitidis (NM) serotype B. Medical malpractice was excluded. WFS has a rapid clinical course. By the time fever and purpura are reported, it may be too late as thrombotic and bleeding complications may already be present. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T20:14:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1de40453897e4c3b8202be68601beb3e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2665-9107 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T20:14:49Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Forensic Science International: Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-1de40453897e4c3b8202be68601beb3e2022-12-21T18:13:59ZengElsevierForensic Science International: Reports2665-91072021-11-014100235Waterhouse Friderichsen Syndrome: Medico-legal issuesPasquale Mascolo0Alessandro Feola1Pierluca Zangani2Davide Famularo3Bruno Liguori4Gelsomina Mansueto5Carlo Pietro Campobasso6Corresponding author.; Department of Experimental Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit, University of Campania ''Luigi Vanvitelli'', Via Luciano Armanni 5, 80138 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Experimental Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit, University of Campania ''Luigi Vanvitelli'', Via Luciano Armanni 5, 80138 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Experimental Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit, University of Campania ''Luigi Vanvitelli'', Via Luciano Armanni 5, 80138 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Experimental Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit, University of Campania ''Luigi Vanvitelli'', Via Luciano Armanni 5, 80138 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Experimental Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit, University of Campania ''Luigi Vanvitelli'', Via Luciano Armanni 5, 80138 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Experimental Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit, University of Campania ''Luigi Vanvitelli'', Via Luciano Armanni 5, 80138 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Experimental Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit, University of Campania ''Luigi Vanvitelli'', Via Luciano Armanni 5, 80138 Naples, ItalyThe Waterhouse-Friderichsen Syndrome (WFS) is a pediatric emergency characterized by high mortality due to the combination of bilateral adrenal haemorrhage, meningococcal infection and cutaneous purpura. WFS often raises medico-legal problems related to missed or delayed diagnosis mainly related to the short clinical course, the sudden onset of symptoms and unexpected death. We report the death of a 2-year-old child who had no other pathologies. Death occurred quickly about 20 h after the first care visit. The forensic autopsy was ordered following the parental complaint for diagnostic delay in primary care. Clinical data, autopsy and histological findings were consistent for WFS by Neisseria meningitidis (NM) serotype B. Medical malpractice was excluded. WFS has a rapid clinical course. By the time fever and purpura are reported, it may be too late as thrombotic and bleeding complications may already be present.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665910721000669Waterhouse-Friderichsen SyndromeBilateral adrenal haemorrhageMeningococcal infectionMedical malpractice |
| spellingShingle | Pasquale Mascolo Alessandro Feola Pierluca Zangani Davide Famularo Bruno Liguori Gelsomina Mansueto Carlo Pietro Campobasso Waterhouse Friderichsen Syndrome: Medico-legal issues Forensic Science International: Reports Waterhouse-Friderichsen Syndrome Bilateral adrenal haemorrhage Meningococcal infection Medical malpractice |
| title | Waterhouse Friderichsen Syndrome: Medico-legal issues |
| title_full | Waterhouse Friderichsen Syndrome: Medico-legal issues |
| title_fullStr | Waterhouse Friderichsen Syndrome: Medico-legal issues |
| title_full_unstemmed | Waterhouse Friderichsen Syndrome: Medico-legal issues |
| title_short | Waterhouse Friderichsen Syndrome: Medico-legal issues |
| title_sort | waterhouse friderichsen syndrome medico legal issues |
| topic | Waterhouse-Friderichsen Syndrome Bilateral adrenal haemorrhage Meningococcal infection Medical malpractice |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665910721000669 |
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