Pneumonia associated with meningococcal bacteremia and/or meningitis

Four children between 5 and 12 years of age had pneumonia as a secondary complication of meningococcal bacteremia and/or meningitis. The diagnosis of meningococcal disease was established by culture of blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid. Fine inspiratory rales were found in one patient. In the other three cases pulmonary infiltrates were evidenced on chest roentgenogram. All patients recovered with penicillin G sodium therapy.