Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome

Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome

 [waht´er-hows frid″er-ik´sen]

the malignant or fulminating form of meningococcal meningitis, which is marked by sudden onset and short course, fever, coma, collapse, cyanosis, hemorrhages from the skin and mucous membranes, and bilateral adrenal hemorrhage.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

Wa·ter·house-Frid·er·ich·sen syn·drome

(waw'tĕr-hows frid'ĕr-ik-sĕn),

a condition occurring mainly in children younger than 10 years of age, characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, extensive purpura, cyanosis, tonic-clonic convulsions, and circulatory collapse, usually with meningitis and hemorrhage into the adrenal glands.

Synonym(s): acute fulminating meningococcal septicemia, Friderichsen-Waterhouse syndrome

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Wa·ter·house-Frid·er·ich·sen syn·drome

(waw'tĕr-hows frid'ĕr-ik-sĕn),

a condition occurring mainly in children younger than 10 years of age, characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, extensive purpura, cyanosis, tonic-clonic convulsions, and circulatory collapse, usually with meningitis and hemorrhage into the adrenal glands.

Synonym(s): acute fulminating meningococcal septicemia, Friderichsen-Waterhouse syndrome

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome

Infectious disease A clinical crisis characterized by acute adrenal insufficiency, often accompanied by septicemia; WFS is most often caused by N meningitidis, but also H influenzae, S pneumoniae, staphylococci, less commonly, linked to hypoxia during a difficult L&D, acute adrenal insufficiency Epidemiology Most common in hot, dry climates, especially in West Africa Clinical Generalized purpuric rash, shock, hypotension Management Treat underlying infection ASAP

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Wa·ter·house-Frid·er·ich·sen syn·drome

(waw'tĕr-hows frē'der-ik-sen sin'drōm)

A condition due to meningococcemia, occurring mainly in children younger than 10 years of age, characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, extensive purpura, cyanosis, tonoclonic convulsions, and circulatory collapse, usually with meningitis and hemorrhage into the suprarenal glands.

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome

A rare disorder caused by invasion of the blood by meningococcus organisms often in the course of an attack of MENINGITIS. There is bleeding into the ADRENAL GLANDS causing adrenal failure and SHOCK. Enlarging purple spots appear on the skin and there is rapid collapse and coma. Death is inevitable unless effective antibiotic and supportive treatment is quickly given. (Rupert Waterhouse, 1873–1958, English physician; and Carl Friderichsen, b. 1886, Danish paediatrician).

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

Friderichsen,

Carl, Danish physician, 1886-1982.

Friderichsen syndrome - Synonym(s): Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome

Friderichsen-Waterhouse syndrome - Synonym(s): Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome

Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome - see under Waterhouse

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Waterhouse,

Rupert, English physician, 1873-1958.

Friderichsen-Waterhouse syndrome - Synonym(s): Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome

Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome - a condition characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, extensive purpura, cyanosis, tonic-clonic convulsions, and circulatory collapse. Synonym(s): acute fulminating meningococcal septicemia; Friderichsen syndrome; Friderichsen-Waterhouse syndrome

Medical Eponyms © Farlex 2012

Wa·ter·house-Frid·er·ich·sen syn·drome

(waw'tĕr-hows frē'der-ik-sen sin'drōm)

Condition occurring mainly in children younger than 10 years of age, characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, extensive purpura, cyanosis, tonic-clonic convulsions, and circulatory collapse.

Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012