New medics 'often miss meningitis'

Junior doctors with little experience are repeatedly missing signs of meningitis in children, research has found.

A Meningitis Research Foundation study of 500 children, 143 of whom died, found doctors: discounted the disease without checking for it; mixed up septicaemia and meningitis and treated for the wrong one; and failed to spot complications such as shock.

The MRF has now issued a booklet, telling medics in A&Es not to discount meningococcal disease even if a child seems well. It details examinations, and advises taking account of experienced nurses and calling a consultant if in doubt.