Early onset meningococcal meningitis

Abstract

Neisseria meningitidis is a rare cause of meningitis and septicaemia in the neonatal population. Meningococcal septicaemia in neonates is divided into early-onset infection (symptoms within seven days of life) and late-onset infection (8-30 days of life). Early-onset meningococcal infection is extremely rare. We report on a case of early-onset meningitis with septicaemia in a term male infant and provide a review of the literature. This case report highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion of sepsis in the neonate.