Orbital cellulitis related to an influenza A virus epidemic.

category in whom evidence of virus infection in the lower respiratory tract was found-that is, those who had type 2 lung histology with or without an identified virus.The proportion of cot deaths with evidence of virus infection in the lower respiratory tract (seven out of 31; 23°0) was greater than that of "other deaths" under 1 year (one out of 23; 4 /), but the difference was not significant.RS virus was identified in two children from each of the three categories.The case histories of the two cot deaths and two "other deaths" were as follows.Case 1-Cot death at age 2 months.The baby developed a minor cough and runny nose.After two days he was seen by the general practitioner, who prescribed an antibiotic.He remained generally well but two mornings later was found dead.Case 2-Cot death at age 4 months.On the day before death the baby was seen for a routine check by her general practitioner, who found her well.Next day she appeared well to her parents, although possibly she took her 8 am feed less hungrily than usual.At 11.30 am she was found dead.Case 3-Death from medulloblastoma at age 5 months.Hydrocephalus was diagnosed in this girl at the age of 9 weeks and relieved by a shunt operation.At 3 months she was readmitted with signs of increasing intra- cranial pressure, and air studies suggested a tumour.At the age of 5 months, while still in hospital, she became ill suddenly one evening, with irregular respiration but no signs or symptoms of respiratory infection; she died three hours later.Postmortem examination showed a medulloblastoma and coning, as well as RS virus in the lungs and type 2 lung histology.Case 4-Death from road-traffic accident at age 3 years.Three days before death the child had developed a slight cold but was not considered to be ill.His brothers and sisters had similar colds.He was run over in the street by a reversing van and died immediately.At necropsy there was extensive brain damage, but also RS virus in the lungs and type 2 lung histology.