[Postmeningococcal pericarditis in children. A case favoring an immunoallergic process].

A case of pericarditis following meningococcal meningitis in a 19 month old boy is presented. First clinical signs were noted after 5 days of antibiotherapy (Cefotaxime); at that time the meningitis was cured and the bacteriologic studies yielded negative results. Complete clinical recovery was obtained within 24 hours of treatment with prednisone (2 mg/kg), antibiotherapy being stopped 4 days earlier. The pathogenesis of post meningococcal pericarditis is discussed based on the data from the literature. This observation adds support to an immuno-allergic origin of this pericarditis.