[Hemodynamic and echocardiographic investigations in children with severe meningococcosis (author's transl)].

In eight children presenting with severe meningococcosis, hemodynamic investigations were performed at various stages of the disease (thermodilution technique and echocardiography). Surveillance of hypovolemia and myocardial incompetence associated with sceptic shock allows a better adaptation of symptomatic treatment and a better prognosis in these severe cases. It seems that invasive hemodynamic methods (thermodilution) cannot be replaced presently by echocardiography alone.