CARDIAC-TAMPONADE AFTER VARICELLA INFECTION

Infection with varicella zoster virus is common in childhood and gener ally associated with few complications. Myopericarditis following vari cella infection is rare but may result in severe rhythm disturbances a nd congestive cardiac failure, The case is presented of a 4-month-old infant presenting with a large pericardial effusion and cardiac tampon ade 2 weeks after the onset of a varicella exanthem. Although Streptoc occus was noted in the pericardial fluid, it could not be grown on bac terial culture and the subsequent clinical course was in keeping with a viral myopericarditis. Conclusion Varicella infection in children ma y be complicated by myopericardial disease ranging from subclinical EC G changes to fulminant cardiac failure and/or cardiac tamponade. The c linical spectrum of this unusual complication is reviewed and the impo rtance of early recognition emphasised.