Waterhouse Friederichsen Syndrome Definition
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Waterhouse Friederichsen Syndrome:
A condition characterized by the abrupt onset of fever, petechiae, ARTHRALGIA, weakness, and myalgias followed by acute hemorrhagic necrosis of the adrenal glands and severe cardiovascular dysfunction. The syndrome is most often associated with meningococcal septicemia but may occur as a complication of sepsis caused by other organisms, including certain STREPTOCOCCUS species. This disorder may be associated with a prior history of SPLENECTOMY. (From J Emerg Med 1998 Jul-Aug;16(4):643-7)Synonym: meningococcal hemorrhagic adrenalitis, meningococcal hemorrhagic adrenalitides, meningococcal haemorrhagic adrenalitis, purpura (waterhouse-friderichsen syndrome) fulminans, meningococcal waterhouse friderichsen syndrome, fulminant meningococcal sepsis with adrenal apoplexy, waterhouse friderichsen syndrome, purpura fulminans (waterhouse friderichsen syndrome).