Physeal Growth Arrest Following Meningococcal Meningitis

Meningococcal septicaemia is a potentially fatal disease affecting infants at a very young age. Due to early diagnosis and better treatment many children survive the initial phase of shock, only to develop acute and chronic problems secondary to peripheral vascular occlusion. In this series six cases are presented with leg length discrepancy and angular deformities due to extensive damage to multiple physeal plate in the lower limb. Two were successfully treated with leg length discrepancy. Children who had an initially successful leg lengthening procedure are likely to re-develop a leg length discrepancy as they grow up to skeletal maturity, hence they might need repeated leg lengthening as they grow.