Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Meningococcal lesions on the back

Adrenal gland hormone secretion

Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome

Definition:

Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome is adrenal gland failure due to bleeding into the adrenal gland. It is caused by severe meningococcal infection and is characterized by acute adrenal gland insufficiency and profound shock. It is fatal if not treated immediately.

Review Date: 10/27/2005
Reviewed By: Angelique Green, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, UCSF School of Medicine, Director of Urgent Care Center, San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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