[Phlegmona ("cellulitis") and Haemophilus influenzae meningitis].

Soft tissue inflammation is a rare manifestation of H. influenzae infection. It is known in the anglo-american literature as "cellulitis". Usually there is concomitant bacteremia or septicemia. The combination of cellulitis and meningitis is rare and not well known in German pediatric literature. Three children with facial cellulitis together with H. influenzae meningitis are described. In comparison to the literature some unusual observations were made: Early appearance of cellulitis at the age of six weeks in two infants, cellulitis of the lower extremities at the same time in one, and biphasic course with cellulitis and meningitis secondary to mastoiditis in another infant.