Neonatal retropharyngeal cellulitis due to group B streptococcus.
Two neonates who presented with histories of poor feeding, irritability and noisy breathing had group B streptococcal (GBS) bacteremia and retropharyngeal cellulitis. One infant also had submandibular cellulitis. Retropharyngeal cellulitis has not been recognized as a manifestation of GBS disease. Evaluation of the upper airway should be part of the workup of any sick infant with noisy breathing and/or grunting. Retropharyngeal tissue enlargement may be an early indicator of GBS disease.
D002481:Cellulitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D013290:Streptococcal Infections; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae