Effect of treatment choice on survival in a case with meningococcemia and multiorgan failure

Abstract

We report in this paper a case had continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) with the diagnosis of meningococcemia - multiple organ failure (MOF) and without permanent damage development although it took more than 4 weeks of loss of kidney function. Three-year-old female patient was hospitalized for unconsciousness, no spontaneous respiration, blood pressure 50/30 mmHg, and widely echimotic- purpuric rash. In her laboratory. there were 19.600 / mm3 white blood cells, 5.7 g / dL hemoglobin, 76,000 / mm3 platelets, prothrombin time was 23.9 seconds, aPTT was higher than measurable values, creatinine was 7.2 mg / dL, ALT / AST were 378/714 / L, and she was anuric. She underwent CVVHDF treatment with the diagnosis of meningococcemia and MOF. On the 48 hours of treatment, her vital signs were improved, on 55 hours MOF was revealed except for renal functions and CVVHDF treatment was discontinued. Because of the damage to the kidneys continue, she had 3 hours/ day dose of hemodialysis. At the end of hospitalization for 1 week, her hemodialysis need was declined to 3 days/ week, on 5th week to 2 days / week and on the beginning of 6 weeks, there was entirely no need for dialysis and she had been seen in services in one more week without dialysis need. On the last visit, she had normal blood pressure, creatinine clearance, urine osmolarity and protein excretion. She was followed up for 4.5 years with no abnormality. Key words: Meningococcemia, dialysis, renal failure