SEPTICEMIA OF THE NEWBORN

Abstract

Experience with septicemia in 106 infants over a 25-year period has been reported. An almost 2:1 predominance of males was observed. In the first 10 years of this study, the Group A, beta hemolytic streptococcus was the predominant infecting organism, while in recent years infections with coliform organisms were the most common, although Group A streptococcal infections continue to occur. Significant numbers of those patients observed in the last 15 years were found to be infected with Ps. aeruginosa and with beta hemolytic streptococci of groups other than A. Fever, abdominal distention, icterus, and hepatomegaly were the most common clinical manifestations suggesting sepsis. However, in most patients the clinical picture was one of general, rather vague, systemic illness. Optimal therapy is based on vigorous search for the infecting organism and rapid initiation of intensive antibacterial therapy.