[Primary peritonitis in children. Apropos of 12 case reports]

Primary peritonitis is rare condition in children. Twelve cases in previously healthy children is reported. The diagnosis was made at laparotomy in the absence of intra-abdominal findings, such as intestinal perforation. Organisms was isolated from peritoneal fluid in 7 cases, Staphylococcus aureus in 3, Streptococcus pneumoniae in 2, beta-hemolytic Streptococcus and E. coli in 1. Peritoneal fluid cultures were sterile in 5 cases, Streptococcus pneumoniae was otherwise incriminated in 2 cases. Recovery was rapid with broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy in 11 cases. One death in an infant was related to late intervention. Recent reports indicate an increase of primary peritonitis caused by gram-negative organisms. The prognosis has improved since the use of antibiotics, but its incidence appears unvarying.