Severity Scoring System

In children with suspected meningococcal septicaemia, the Glasgow meningococcal septicaemia prognostic score (GMSPS) has been recommended by SIGN [1] and is based on clinical criteria only. It may be a useful tool for identification of those patients who need transfer to a tertiary hospital with PICU-11. There is currently no evidence that these severity scoring systems alter outcomes.

A GMSPS equal to or greater than 8 should alert the clinical team to the need for early intubation and ventilation, and is a poor prognostic indicator.