Outcome of significant pericardial effusion of infectious etiology in children: An observational retrospective cohort study

Abstract Background: Information on outcome of paediatric pericardial diseases from India is limited. Aim: To study the outcome of significant pericardial effusion of infectious etiology in children.Setting and Design: Retrospective analysis of significant pericardial effusion of infectious aetiology in children admitted to a tertiary care hospital of northern India during the last 10 yearsResults: Of the 74 patients, 71.6% (53/74) had tuberculosis, most being “probable” tubercular effusion. Pyogenic cases (17/74) usually had a pleura-pulmonary focus. Pericardial fluid adenosine deaminase and CT chest were useful diagnostic aids in tubercular effusions. Pericardiocentesis and surgery were done in 72.9 % (54/74) and 12.1% (9/74) respectively. On median follow up of 18 months, death or chronic constrictive pericarditis was seen in 2 patients each, both had tubercular effusions. Conclusions: Tuberculosis is still the commonest infectious cause of pericardial effusion in children from this part of the world. Current treatment protocol has improved the outcome of this once deadly disease.