Fatal Haemophilus influenzae pneumonia: two cases report

Haemophilus influenzae is a common cause of acute childhood pneumonia. Most Haemophilus pneumonia generally follow a benign course with occasional complications of pleural effusion, pneumothorax or pneumatocele. Deaths following invasive Haemophilus pneumonia have rarely been reported in children older than 3 years of age. We report 2 deaths in children presenting with fulminant pneumonia, complicated by sepsis and adult respiratory distress syndrome despite vigorous antibiotic therapy and full resuscitative measures.