Patients may present suddenly or in the background of ongoing infection with symptoms and signs suggestive of adrenal insufficiency. The principal manifestation of WFS is shock. Patients often have nonspecific symptoms like rapid onset headache, fever, weakness, fatigue, abdominal or flank pain, anorexia, nausea or vomiting, confusion, or disorientation.

On abdominal examination, rigidity or rebound tenderness may be present. WFS associated with meningococcemia characteristically demonstrates petechial rash, DIC, purpura fulminans along with neurological manifestations seen in meningitis. The petechial rash usually develops on the trunk and lower portions of the body but can develop over mucous membranes, as well. The rash can coalesce to form larger purpura and ecchymoses. The petechiae usually relate to the degree of thrombocytopenia. Thus the clinician must be vigilant about these rashes as they can be of value in anticipating bleeding complications due to DIC.

It is challenging to diagnose WFS, especially in the setting of ongoing sepsis, which may masquerade as septic shock. Surprisingly hypotension precedes shock only in approximately half of all patients.[24]

When Waterhouse Friderichsen syndrome is suspected, complete blood work is required. Fall in hemoglobin and hematocrit levels suggest some form of occult bleeding. Leukocytosis may be present because of underlying bacterial infection. Low mineralocorticoid levels lead to hyponatremia and hyperkalemia. Hyponatremia also occurs due to the Syndrome of inappropriate diuretic hormone (SIADH) caused by cortisol deficiency. Volume contraction with accompanying prerenal azotemia may also be a feature. However, the absence of these electrolyte derangements should not exclude the diagnosis. Hypoglycemia, attributed to decreased glucocorticoid, tends to occur in WFS but is not severe, and it is readily correctable. Arterial Blood Gas analysis reveals metabolic acidosis.

Levels of plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, aldosterone, and renin activity should be obtained to assess adrenal function. There is a decrease in cortisol level with a rise in ACTH level, a decrease in aldosterone level, and a rise in renin level, features consistent with primary adrenal insufficiency.  If the diagnosis remains in doubt, one may administer cosyntropin (ACTH) to assess the adrenal function. CT scan is often used to evaluate adrenal hemorrhage in stable patients. Unstable patients may require an ultrasound at the bedside. Electrocardiography is also necessary to assess any changes in rhythm secondary to hyperkalemia.

Patients with Waterhouse Friderichsen syndrome present with sepsis. A blood sample should be drawn, and treatment started immediately before obtaining the results. Management includes supportive therapy for sepsis with volume resuscitation, appropriate antibiotic coverage, vasopressor to ensure end-organ perfusion, and other supportive care. A bolus of D5 NS (5% dextrose with 0.9 % normal saline) 20 ml/kg is given over 1 hour so that underlying hypoglycemia is also corrected. If shock is persistent, repeat NS up to a total of 60 ml/kg in 1 hour. Hypoglycemia is treatable by giving 2 to 4 ml/kg of 25% dextrose as a bolus. Steroid replacement is in the form of hydrocortisone, given in the dose of 50 to 100 mg/m^2 as a bolus. The dose of hydrocortisone based on age is 25 mg for children up to 3 years, 50 mg for those from 3 to 12 years, and 100 mg for 12 years and older. The same dose of steroid as a bolus is given over 24 hours, either continuously or in four divided doses.

Mineralocorticoid replacement is not needed acutely because it takes a long time to show its sodium-retaining effects. The decreased production of antidiuretic hormone due to hydrocortisone administration along with normal saline infusion helps correct hyponatremia. In most instances, hyperkalemia improves with fluids and hydrocortisone. Rarely, one may need to administer insulin and glucose, especially if hyperkalemia is severe and symptomatic. The monitoring of electrolytes and water balance is essential throughout the treatment. Once the crisis is well controlled, the maintenance dose of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid gets administered regularly.

Conservative management is the recommended approach in cases of traumatic adrenal hemorrhage in the absence of ongoing bleeding.[25] Conservative management includes supportive care, hematocrit monitoring, and blood transfusion as needed. In non-operative management, follow-up imaging is essential to assess the resolution of adrenal hematoma. This imaging also helps in differentiating the benign adrenal hematoma from any adrenal mass that would require surgery.

Operative management in the form of angioembolization of one of the vessels supplying the adrenal gland may be necessary to control the ongoing bleeding.[26] In a study by Mehrazin, surgical exploration was carried out in 3.8 % of cases of traumatic adrenal hemorrhage. Among those requiring surgical exploration, the rate of adrenalectomy was 3.1%.[27]

The diagnosis of Waterhouse Friderichsen syndrome requires a high degree of suspicion. With the ongoing bacterial infection, it is highly likely to be confused with septic shock. WFS should be mainly in mind if the shock does not respond to intravenous fluids and vasopressors. Hypotension with low body fluid, hyponatremia, and prerenal azotemia are also features of hypovolemia. So WFS may be confused with hypovolemic shock, especially in the absence of elements of bacterial infection and vomiting as a predominant symptom.

Other conditions presenting as an adrenal crisis merit consideration as well.  In neonates, congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency may present as an adrenal crisis within the first few days to weeks of life. Infants with obstructive uropathy, pyelonephritis, or tubulointerstitial nephritis may also present with salt-losing crises with vomiting, hyponatremia, and hyperkalemia.[28]

The prognosis of Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome varies according to the severity of illness. Approximately 15 % of patients with significant acute bilateral adrenal bleeding have a fatal outcome. The case fatality rate is almost 50 % in cases of delay in diagnosis and appropriate treatment. 

Although the mortality is high with bilateral adrenal hemorrhage, patients do recover with appropriate management on time. Those who recover need treatment with mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid depending on their electrolyte status and response to the treatment. Although the recovery is unpredictable, research has also shown that those with AH can regain some degree of adrenal function after the acute presentation.[19] There are no randomized clinical studies to tell the duration of the treatment exactly. So, close follow-up and re-evaluation are necessary. A few long term follow-up studies have shown that recovery may be possible in some cases that no longer require glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid replacement.[29]

Despite aggressive treatment, this disorder carries a very high mortality.

Waterhouse Friderichsen syndrome is a rare condition that presents with nonspecific symptoms and requires the efforts of an interprofessional healthcare team. In those patients with a risk factor for adrenal hemorrhage, clinicians should keep their mind broad and open, especially when the hypotension does not respond to vasopressor alone. The management involves interprofessional care that includes hospitalist, intensivist, endocrinologist, and pharmacist.

The patient monitoring is usually done by the ICU nurses who should be aware of the syndrome and its presentation. The pharmacist should ensure that the patient is on the appropriate antibiotics in cases associated with sepsis. Also, the pharmacist must ensure that the patient is receiving glucocorticoids, working with nursing and the clinician team on dosing and administration. Close communication between the interprofessional team is vital to improving patient outcomes. [Level 5]