Waterhouse–Friderichsen syndrome

Waterhouse–Friderichsen syndrome
Other namesHemorrhagic adrenalitis
The adrenal glands lie above the kidneys.
SpecialtyEndocrinology 
CausesBacterial infection

Waterhouse–Friderichsen syndrome (WFS) is defined as adrenal gland failure due to hemorrhages in the adrenal glands, commonly caused by sepsis. Typically, the bacteria responsible for triggering the bleeding is Neisseria meningitidis.[1]

The bacterial infection leads to massive bleeding into one or both adrenal glands.[2] Bilateral adrenal gland hemorrhaging is more common. It is characterized by overwhelming bacterial infection meningococcemia leading to massive blood invasion, organ failure, coma, low blood pressure and shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) with widespread purpura, rapidly developing adrenocortical insufficiency and death.

  1. ^ "Waterhouse–Friderichsen syndrome". Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD). Archived from the original on January 13, 2009. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  2. ^ Kumar V, Abbas A, Fausto N (2005). Robins and Coltran: Pathological Basis of Disease (7th ed.). Elsevier. pp. 1214–5. ISBN 978-0-7216-0187-8.
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