Neonatal cervical group B streptococcal cellulitis

Abstract

Cellulitis of neonates and infants younger than three months of age is rare and often atypical in presentation. Because of the potentially (and rapidly) lethal course of group B streptococcal sepsis, it is essential to avoid delay in diagnosis and treatment. We report the case of a neonate with group B streptococcal retroauricular cellulitis. Admitted for late bacterial neonatal infection with cutaneous location. The history of the disease dates back to one day before admission, with the appearance of a painful cervical swelling without other associated signs evolving in a context of fever of 39°. The clinical examination found a pink tonic reactive newborn in good hemodynamic and respiratory condition, febrile at 39.5°. With the presence of a painful and warm latero-cervical mass of hard consistency and the presence of associated bilateral latero-cervical adenopathies was noted. The oral cavity examination was unremarkable; Cellulitis in newborns and infants under 3 months of age is rare and has not been described in the literature except in a few clinical cases. In the case of any cellulitis of the face in a newborn or before the age of 3 months, late infection with group B streptococci (GBS) should be considered.