Pericarditis complicating the course of meningococcal meningitis is a distinctly uncommon event. A total of 32 cases of meningococcal meningitis were encountered over a 13-month period. Six of these developed acute pericarditis during the convalescent phase of their disease, for an incidence of 19%. Fever, chest pain, friction rub, and typical ECG changes were the common diagnostic findings in all cases. The clinical course of these patients was generally benign, with a variable but complete response to anti-inflammatory medications. Only one patient developed pericardial compression necessitating pericardiocentesis. Speculation as to causes for increased incidence of this complication includes the possibility