Five children with purulent pericarditis and review of the literature.
Purulent pericarditis in children is a life-threatening disease that requires early diagnosis and immediate intervention. This cardiac emergency is rarely seen in the western world. However, cases of purulent pericarditis are still being reported in developing countries. We describe our experience with five cases of purulent pericarditis in children seen between 1998 and 2002. Haemophilus influenzae bacteria were isolated in all except one case. With active management, all five children survived.
Cardiac Science Department, King AbdulAziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. mskabbani@hotmail.com
Mohamed Salim
MS
Kabbani
Hani
H
Najm
Michael
M
Godman
D002648:Child; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000150:complications; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D020519:Pericardiocentesis / Q000379:methods; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome