Fatal pneumococcal septicaemia associated with asplenia and isomerism of the right atrial appendages.
A 22 month old male infant with isomerism of the right atrial appendages (associated with a complete atrioventricular septal defect, double outlet right ventricle, and pulmonary valve stenosis) died from pneumococcal septicaemia after a 36 hour illness. He had not been given penicillin prophylaxis. Asplenia was confirmed at necropsy. In a survey of 50 paediatric cardiologists in the United Kingdom, 13 (33%) of the 40 (80%) who replied did not advise any prophylactic measures against pneumococcal infection in patients with isomerism of the right atrial appendages.
Murdoch
I A
IA
Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Guy's Hospital, London.
Anjos
R D
RD
Mitchell
A
A
D006325:Heart Atria / Q000002:abnormalities*; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013154:Spleen / Q000002:abnormalities*