[Q-fever as a cause of myocarditis in childhood].

Q-fever occurs in The Netherlands in childhood more often than used to be believed. We treated an 8-month-old infant with congestive myocarditis associated with a seroconversion against Coxiella burnetii. The infection was probably caused by the father, who a few weeks earlier had visited his native Surinam, where he frequently was surrounded by domestic animals and drank raw cow's milk. After 2.5 years the child's general and cardial conditions are good although digoxin therapy is still necessary.