Meningococcal disease in children

Meningococcal disease often begins suddenly and can prove fatal within hours. It is the most important infectious cause of death in childhood (outside the neonatal period) in the developed world. It often presents without a non-blanching rash contrary to popular belief among parents and healthcare practitioners. Early recognition and initiation of fluid and antibiotic therapy can improve the prognosis. Two cases of meningococcal disease in infants are described to give a snapshot view of how this disease may present in clinical practice.