Abstract

Six children with acute staphylococcal pericarditis with cardiac tamponade are presented. In any patient with staphylococcal infection, the sudden onset of dyspnoea, tachycardia, tachypnoea, distended and pulsatile neck veins, hepatomegaly, puffy face and pulsus paradoxus should suggest the diagnosis of pericarditis with acute cardiac tamponade. Prompt drainage by pericardiocentesis or pericardiostomy is essential.