0
November 1984, Vol 138, No. 11 >
Article | November 1984

Primary Peritonitis in Previously Healthy Children FREE

Bishara J. Freij, MD; Theodore P. Votteler, MD; George H. McCracken, MD
[+] Author Affiliations

Reprints not available.


Am J Dis Child. 1984;138(11):1058-1061. doi:10.1001/archpedi.1984.02140490058014.
Text Size: A A A
Published online
Article
References
Comments

• In a review of 22 years of clinical experience, we found seven previously healthy children with primary peritonitis. The diagnosis was made at laparotomy in all patients. Their symptoms included diffuse abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. Abdominal tenderness was maximal in the right lower quadrant in five children, which led to confusion with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Streptococcus pneumoniae was identified as the etiologic agent in three patients and group A β-hemolytic Streptococcus in one patient. The remaining three patients all had prior antibiotic therapy, and peritoneal fluid cultures were sterile. All children had a prompt response to treatment with antibiotics and recovered without complications. Long-term follow-up (4½ to 15 years) was available for three patients; all three remained healthy.

(AJDC 1984;138:1058-1061)

REFERENCES

1 +
Pahmer M:  Pneumococcus peritonitis in nephrotic and non-nephrotic children: A comparative clinical and pathologic study with a brief review of the literature . J Pediatr 1940;;17:90-106.
2 +
Rubin HM, Blau EB, Michaels RH:  Hemophilus and pneumococcal peritonitis in children with the nephrotic syndrome . Pediatrics 1975;;56: 598-601.
3 +
Krensky AM, Ingelfinger JR, Grupe WE:  Peritonitis in childhood nephrotic syndrome: 1970-1980 . AJDC 1982;;136:732-736.
4 +
Golden GT, Shaw A:  Primary peritonitis . Surg Gynecol Obstet 1972;;135:513-516.
5 +
Fowler R:  Primary peritonitis: Changing aspects 1956-1970 . Aust Paediatr J 1971;;7:73-83.
6 +
McDougal WS, Izant RJ Jr, Zollinger RM Jr:  Primary peritonitis in infancy and childhood . Ann Surg 1975;;181:310-313.
7 +
Dwivedi BD, Mathur SK, Johar R:  Primary peritonitis in children . Indian J Pediatr 1980;;47: 371-374.
8 +
O'Harra RM, Linkner LM:  Primary peritonitis in a child 21 months of age . Ariz Med 1963;;20:271-273.
9 +
Fogel BJ, Karpa JN, Luxenberg ER:  Primary peritonitis: A case report and a discussion of an unusual disease . Clin Pediatr 1964;;3: 578-580.
10 +
Khan AJ, Evans HE, Macabuhay MR, et al:  Primary peritonitis due to group G Streptococcus: A case report . Pediatrics 1975;;56: 1078-1079.
11 +
Chang MJ, Controni G:  Primary peritonitis due to Haemophilus influenzae type b in a previously healthy child . J Clin Microbiol 1983;;18:725-726.
12 +
Gross RE: The Surgery of Infancy and Childhood: Its Principles and Techniques . Philadelphia, WB Saunders Co, 1953;, pp 384-391.
13 +
Mertz JL:  Peritonitis in infants and children . Hawaii Med J 1959;;18:341-343.
14 +
Bose B, Keir WR, Godberson CV:  Primary pneumococcal peritonitis . Can Med Assoc J 1974;;110:305-307.
15 +
Blumberg L:  Primary peritonitis . S Afr Med J 1962;;36:638-641.
16 +
Bannatyne RM, Lakdawalla N, Ein S:  Primary meningococcal peritonitis . Can Med Assoc J 1977;;117:436.
17 +
Matthews P:  Primary anaerobic peritonitis . Br Med J 1979;;2:903-904.
18 +
McFarlane AC, Hamra LK, Reiss-Levy E, et al:  Pneumococcal peritonitis in adolescent girls . Med J Aust 1979;;1:100-101.
19 +
Bryant JH:  Pneumococcus peritonitis . Br Med J 1901;;2:767-771.
20 +
Annand WF, Bowen WH:  Pneumococcic peritonitis in children: A study . Lancet 1906;;1: 1591-1598.
21 +
McCartney JE, Fraser J:  Pneumococcal peritonitis . Br J Surg 1922;;9:479-489.
22 +
McCartney JE:  The pathogenesis of primary pneumococcal peritonitis . J Pathol 1923;;26: 507-517.
23 +
Cole WH:  Pneumococcus peritonitis . Surgery 1937;;1:386-394.
24 +
Wile SA, Saphir O:  Migratory peritonitis: A clinicopathologic study of so-called hematogenous peritonitis in children . AJDC 1932;;43: 610-631.
25 +
Lipshutz B, Lowenburg H:  Pneumococcic and streptococcic peritonitis: Report of 23 cases in infancy and childhood . JAMA 1926;;86:99-104.
26 +
Leopold JS, Castrovinci F:  Primary peritonitis in children . J Pediatr 1935;;7:187-198.
27 +
Newell ET Jr:  Primary Streptococcus and pneumococcus peritonitis in children: A study of 61 cases with the report of two interesting recoveries . Surg Gynecol Obstet 1939;;68:760-766.
28 +
Harken AH, Shochat SJ:  Gram-positive peritonitis in children . Am J Surg 1973;;125: 769-772.
29 +
Lipsky PE, Hardin JA, Schour L, et al:  Spontaneous peritonitis and systemic lupus erythematosus: Importance of accurate diagnosis of gram-positive bacterial infections . JAMA 1975;;232:929-931.
30 +
Hoefs JC, Canawati HN, Sapico FL, et al:  Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis . Hepatology 1982;;2:399-407.
31 +
Golden GT, Stevenson TR, Ritchie WP Jr:  Primary peritonitis in adults . South Med J 1975;;68:413-414.
32 +
Fonkalsrud EW, Ellis DG, Clatworthy HW Jr:  Neonatal peritonitis . J Pediatr Surg 1966;;1: 227-239.
33 +
Singer B, Hammar B:  Neonatal peritonitis . S Afr Med J 1972;;46:987-993.
34 +
Duggan MB, Khwaja MS:  Neonatal primary peritonitis in Nigeria . Arch Dis Child 1975;;50:130-132.
35 +
Udall DA, Drake DJ Jr, Rosenberg RS:  Acute scrotal swelling: A physical sign of primary peritonitis . J Urol 1981;;125:750-751.
36 +
Ladd WE:  The acute surgical abdomen in children . Penn Med 1930;;34:153-159.
37 +
Fowler R Jr:  Primary peritonitis . Aust NZ J Surg 1957;;26:204-213.
38 +
Cook AB:  Peritonitis due to B friedlander . Br Med J 1932;;2:517.
39 +
Osborne MP:  Primary Friedlander-bacillus peritonitis: Report of a case . N Engl J Med 1948;;238:361-364.
40 +
Wanvarie S, Achchaneeyasgul T, Tanphaichitra D, et al:  Typhoid meningitis and primary peritonitis . J Med Assoc Thai 1981;;64: 516-518.
41 +
Fuld GL:  Gonococcal peritonitis in a pripubertal child . AJDC 1968;;115:621-622.
42 +
Burry VF:  Gonococcal vulvovaginitis and possible peritonitis in prepubertal girls . AJDC 1971;;121:536-537.
43 +
Gorski J, Ingall D, Yogev R:  Primary peritonitis associated with Hemophilus influenzae bacteremia in a normal child . Clin Pediatr 1983;;22:183.
44 +
McCarthy PL, Grundy GW, Spiesel SZ, et al:  Bacteremia in children: An outpatient clinical review . Pediatrics 1976;;57:861-868.
45 +
Bratton L, Teele DW, Klein JO:  Outcome of unsuspected pneumococcemia in children not initially admitted to the hospital . J Pediatr 1977;;90:703-706.
46 +
Jacobs NM, Lerdkachornsuk S, Metzger WI:  Pneumococcal bacteremia in infants and children: A ten-year experience at the Cook County Hospital with special reference to the pneumococcal serotypes isolated . Pediatrics 1979;;64:296-300.
47 +
Siber GR:  Bacteremias due to Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae: Their occurrence and course in children with cancer . AJDC 1980;;134:668-672.
48 +
Simmons RL, Ahrenholz DH:  Pathobiology of peritonitis: A review . J Antimicrob Chemother 1981;;7( (suppl A) ):29-36.
49 +
Schweinburg FB, Seligman AM, Fine J:  Transmural migration of intestinal bacteria: A study based on the use of radioactive Escherichia coli . N Engl J Med 1950;;242:747-751.
50 +
Dimond M, Proctor HJ:  Concomitant pneumococcal appendicitis, peritonitis, and meningitis . Arch Surg 1976;;111:888-889.

Figures

Tables

Interactive Graphics

Video

Country-Specific Mortality and Growth Failure in Infancy and Yound Children and Association With Material Stature

Use interactive graphics and maps to view and sort country-specific infant and early dhildhood mortality and growth failure data and their association with maternal

References

1 +
Pahmer M:  Pneumococcus peritonitis in nephrotic and non-nephrotic children: A comparative clinical and pathologic study with a brief review of the literature . J Pediatr 1940;;17:90-106.
2 +
Rubin HM, Blau EB, Michaels RH:  Hemophilus and pneumococcal peritonitis in children with the nephrotic syndrome . Pediatrics 1975;;56: 598-601.
3 +
Krensky AM, Ingelfinger JR, Grupe WE:  Peritonitis in childhood nephrotic syndrome: 1970-1980 . AJDC 1982;;136:732-736.
4 +
Golden GT, Shaw A:  Primary peritonitis . Surg Gynecol Obstet 1972;;135:513-516.
5 +
Fowler R:  Primary peritonitis: Changing aspects 1956-1970 . Aust Paediatr J 1971;;7:73-83.
6 +
McDougal WS, Izant RJ Jr, Zollinger RM Jr:  Primary peritonitis in infancy and childhood . Ann Surg 1975;;181:310-313.
7 +
Dwivedi BD, Mathur SK, Johar R:  Primary peritonitis in children . Indian J Pediatr 1980;;47: 371-374.
8 +
O'Harra RM, Linkner LM:  Primary peritonitis in a child 21 months of age . Ariz Med 1963;;20:271-273.
9 +
Fogel BJ, Karpa JN, Luxenberg ER:  Primary peritonitis: A case report and a discussion of an unusual disease . Clin Pediatr 1964;;3: 578-580.
10 +
Khan AJ, Evans HE, Macabuhay MR, et al:  Primary peritonitis due to group G Streptococcus: A case report . Pediatrics 1975;;56: 1078-1079.
11 +
Chang MJ, Controni G:  Primary peritonitis due to Haemophilus influenzae type b in a previously healthy child . J Clin Microbiol 1983;;18:725-726.
12 +
Gross RE: The Surgery of Infancy and Childhood: Its Principles and Techniques . Philadelphia, WB Saunders Co, 1953;, pp 384-391.
13 +
Mertz JL:  Peritonitis in infants and children . Hawaii Med J 1959;;18:341-343.
14 +
Bose B, Keir WR, Godberson CV:  Primary pneumococcal peritonitis . Can Med Assoc J 1974;;110:305-307.
15 +
Blumberg L:  Primary peritonitis . S Afr Med J 1962;;36:638-641.
16 +
Bannatyne RM, Lakdawalla N, Ein S:  Primary meningococcal peritonitis . Can Med Assoc J 1977;;117:436.
17 +
Matthews P:  Primary anaerobic peritonitis . Br Med J 1979;;2:903-904.
18 +
McFarlane AC, Hamra LK, Reiss-Levy E, et al:  Pneumococcal peritonitis in adolescent girls . Med J Aust 1979;;1:100-101.
19 +
Bryant JH:  Pneumococcus peritonitis . Br Med J 1901;;2:767-771.
20 +
Annand WF, Bowen WH:  Pneumococcic peritonitis in children: A study . Lancet 1906;;1: 1591-1598.
21 +
McCartney JE, Fraser J:  Pneumococcal peritonitis . Br J Surg 1922;;9:479-489.
22 +
McCartney JE:  The pathogenesis of primary pneumococcal peritonitis . J Pathol 1923;;26: 507-517.
23 +
Cole WH:  Pneumococcus peritonitis . Surgery 1937;;1:386-394.
24 +
Wile SA, Saphir O:  Migratory peritonitis: A clinicopathologic study of so-called hematogenous peritonitis in children . AJDC 1932;;43: 610-631.
25 +
Lipshutz B, Lowenburg H:  Pneumococcic and streptococcic peritonitis: Report of 23 cases in infancy and childhood . JAMA 1926;;86:99-104.
26 +
Leopold JS, Castrovinci F:  Primary peritonitis in children . J Pediatr 1935;;7:187-198.
27 +
Newell ET Jr:  Primary Streptococcus and pneumococcus peritonitis in children: A study of 61 cases with the report of two interesting recoveries . Surg Gynecol Obstet 1939;;68:760-766.
28 +
Harken AH, Shochat SJ:  Gram-positive peritonitis in children . Am J Surg 1973;;125: 769-772.
29 +
Lipsky PE, Hardin JA, Schour L, et al:  Spontaneous peritonitis and systemic lupus erythematosus: Importance of accurate diagnosis of gram-positive bacterial infections . JAMA 1975;;232:929-931.
30 +
Hoefs JC, Canawati HN, Sapico FL, et al:  Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis . Hepatology 1982;;2:399-407.
31 +
Golden GT, Stevenson TR, Ritchie WP Jr:  Primary peritonitis in adults . South Med J 1975;;68:413-414.
32 +
Fonkalsrud EW, Ellis DG, Clatworthy HW Jr:  Neonatal peritonitis . J Pediatr Surg 1966;;1: 227-239.
33 +
Singer B, Hammar B:  Neonatal peritonitis . S Afr Med J 1972;;46:987-993.
34 +
Duggan MB, Khwaja MS:  Neonatal primary peritonitis in Nigeria . Arch Dis Child 1975;;50:130-132.
35 +
Udall DA, Drake DJ Jr, Rosenberg RS:  Acute scrotal swelling: A physical sign of primary peritonitis . J Urol 1981;;125:750-751.
36 +
Ladd WE:  The acute surgical abdomen in children . Penn Med 1930;;34:153-159.
37 +
Fowler R Jr:  Primary peritonitis . Aust NZ J Surg 1957;;26:204-213.
38 +
Cook AB:  Peritonitis due to B friedlander . Br Med J 1932;;2:517.
39 +
Osborne MP:  Primary Friedlander-bacillus peritonitis: Report of a case . N Engl J Med 1948;;238:361-364.
40 +
Wanvarie S, Achchaneeyasgul T, Tanphaichitra D, et al:  Typhoid meningitis and primary peritonitis . J Med Assoc Thai 1981;;64: 516-518.
41 +
Fuld GL:  Gonococcal peritonitis in a pripubertal child . AJDC 1968;;115:621-622.
42 +
Burry VF:  Gonococcal vulvovaginitis and possible peritonitis in prepubertal girls . AJDC 1971;;121:536-537.
43 +
Gorski J, Ingall D, Yogev R:  Primary peritonitis associated with Hemophilus influenzae bacteremia in a normal child . Clin Pediatr 1983;;22:183.
44 +
McCarthy PL, Grundy GW, Spiesel SZ, et al:  Bacteremia in children: An outpatient clinical review . Pediatrics 1976;;57:861-868.
45 +
Bratton L, Teele DW, Klein JO:  Outcome of unsuspected pneumococcemia in children not initially admitted to the hospital . J Pediatr 1977;;90:703-706.
46 +
Jacobs NM, Lerdkachornsuk S, Metzger WI:  Pneumococcal bacteremia in infants and children: A ten-year experience at the Cook County Hospital with special reference to the pneumococcal serotypes isolated . Pediatrics 1979;;64:296-300.
47 +
Siber GR:  Bacteremias due to Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae: Their occurrence and course in children with cancer . AJDC 1980;;134:668-672.
48 +
Simmons RL, Ahrenholz DH:  Pathobiology of peritonitis: A review . J Antimicrob Chemother 1981;;7( (suppl A) ):29-36.
49 +
Schweinburg FB, Seligman AM, Fine J:  Transmural migration of intestinal bacteria: A study based on the use of radioactive Escherichia coli . N Engl J Med 1950;;242:747-751.
50 +
Dimond M, Proctor HJ:  Concomitant pneumococcal appendicitis, peritonitis, and meningitis . Arch Surg 1976;;111:888-889.

Correspondence

Submit a Letter
CME
Accreditation Information
The American Medical Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The AMA designates this journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM per course. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Physicians who complete the CME course and score at least 80% correct on the quiz are eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM.
Note: You must get at least of the answers correct to pass this quiz.
Clear Answers | Save For Later
You have not filled in all the answers to complete this quiz
The following questions were not answered:
Sorry, you have unsuccessfully completed this CME quiz with a score of
The following questions were not answered correctly:
Commitment to Change (optional):
Indicate what change(s) you will implement in your practice, if any, based on this CME course.
Your quiz results:
The filled radio buttons indicate your responses. The preferred responses are highlighted
For CME Course: A Proposed Model for Initial Assessment and Management of Acute Heart Failure Syndromes
Indicate what changes(s) you will implement in your practice, if any, based on this CME course.
NOTE:
Citing articles are presented as examples only. In non-demo SCM6 implementation, integration with CrossRef’s “Cited By” API will populate this tab (http://www.crossref.org/citedby.html).
Compression-Only CPR: Pushing the Science Forward
Cone
AAM 2010;304:1493-1495.
All you need to read in the other general journals
BMJ 2010;341:c5893-c1494.
Submit a Comment

Some tools below are only available to our subscribers or users with an online account.

Related Content

Customize your page view by dragging & repositioning the boxes below.

© 2013 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
Powered bySilverchair Information Systems