Methods: The records of 106 children aged less than 5 years with invasive disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae were reviewed.
Results: The clinical manifestations were meningitis (37%), upper respiratory tract infection (24%), pneumonia (19%), and occult bacteraemia (18%). One child died and seven had persisting neurological impairment. Five serotypes caused 83% of disease and 92% of the serotypes are included in the seven valent conjugate vaccines which are undergoing trials.
Conclusions: These data suggest that S pneumoniae infection is associated with a low case fatality rate but substantial morbidity in the UK.