[Acute purulent pericarditis in childhood]

Four children with acute purulent pericarditis were seen at the Children's Hospital "La Fe", Valencia, between 1980 and 1985. Their ages ranged between 7 months and 7 years. All patients had some other associated infection, such as pneumonia (1 case), pyodermitis (1 case) and sepsis (2 cases). Pathogens identified were Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis. M-mode echocardiography and 2-dimensional echocardiography has proven to be a reliable tool in diagnosis of pericardial effusions. A 2-dimensional echocardiogram is indicated when a loculated pericardial effusions is suspected (Staphylococcus aureus pericarditis). Pericardiocentesis alone resulted in recovery of three patients and failed in one (Staphylococcus aureus pericarditis). This one was treated with pericardiectomy and recovered without complications.