BACTERIAL PERICARDITIS IN INFANCY AND CHILDHOOD

The authors report on a cooperative study of 43 cases of bacterial per icarditis observed in children. This disorder was suspected in patient s with septicemia who developed symptoms and signs of pericarditis (pr ecordial pain, muffled heart sounds, pericardial friction rub, cardiom egaly). Early diagnosis of this condition is now facilitated by echoca rdiography. A combination of medical and surgical treatments (appropri ate antibiotic therapy after culture and sensitivity tests and early p ericardial drainage) led to complete recovery in almost all of the cas es (42 of 43). After long-term follow up, no cases of constrictive per icarditis were observed.