Table 4

Comparison of disease characteristics between children with sepsis and purpura before and after the national meningococcal C vaccination campaign (July 2002)

Before meningococcal C vaccination^a

After meningococcal C vaccination^a

Total number of children (%)

248

39

(86.4)

(13.6)

Case fatality (%)

45^b

0^b

(18.1)

(0)

Age in years

3.2

2.5

(0.1 to 17.9)

(0.3 to 13.1)

Number of children with DIC (%)

186^c

20^c

(79.5)

(62.5)

Number of PICU-free days

24^c

25^c

(0 to 28)

(0 to 27)

PRISM score

15

20

(1 to 44)

(2 to 37)

Predicted death rate (%)^d

5.6

8.1

(0 to 100)

(0 to 100)

Base excess (mmol/L)

-7.7

-8

(-28 to 4.4)

(-18 to -2)

Lactate (mmol/L)

4.1

4.0

Geometric mean, 95% CI

3.8 to 4.4

3.3 to 4.8

C-reactive protein (mg/L)

93

84

(6 to 326)

(25 to 334)

Fibrinogen (g/L)

2.5

3.2

(0.2 to 6.8)

(0.3 to 6.4)

Platelet count (×10³/μL)

110

135

(13 to 475)

(25 to 227)

Leukocytes (×10³/μL)

8.9

12.1

Geometric mean, 95% CI

7.9 to 10.0

9.4 to 15.6

Glucose (mmol/L)

5.7^c

7.2^c

Geometric mean, 95% CI

5.3 to 6.2

6.2 to 8.2

^aResults represent median (min-max) unless stated otherwise. ^bp < 0.01. ^cp < 0.05. ^dPredicted death rate was based on the Rotterdam score. CI, confidence interval; DIC, disseminated intravascular coagulation; PICU, paediatric intensive care unit; PRISM, Paediatric Risk of Mortality.

Maat et al. Critical Care 2007 11:R112   doi:10.1186/cc6161