Group B streptococcus sepsis in an infant presented with cellulitis of soft tissue of neck

Abstract

We report a case of cellulitis of the soft tissue of the neck with group B streptococcus (GBS) sepsis in a 4-week-old baby boy presented with a 1-day history of fever, irritability and feed refusal. While in the hospital, a left-sided submandibular swelling extending to preauricular area started emerging, which progressed dramatically. Ultrasound scan of the neck confirmed inflammation of the underlying soft tissue while revealing multiple enlarged lymph nodes without any abscess formation and overlying soft tissue oedema. Blood cultures were flagged positive at 9 hours for GBS. The infant was treated with intravenous antibiotics for 2 weeks. GBS is considered a common cause of early-onset sepsis in neonates. However, it can also lead to late-onset sepsis in infancy with variable presentations. In our case, GBS sepsis manifested with cellulitis of the soft tissue of the neck along with swelling of local lymph nodes.