title: Necrotizing enterocolitis and hemolysis associated with Clostridium perfringens.
abstract: Two newborns had necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and severe hemolytic anemia. Clostridium perfringens was identified in the peritoneal fluid of both infants, supporting the previous association of C perfringens with hemolysis reported in adult patients. Infants with NEC and hemolytic anemia should be aggressively treated with surgical debridement and high-dose parenteral penicillin G potassium. Similarly, Gram's stain of peritoneal fluid and resected bowel at laparotomy for NEC may be useful for early identification of the primary organism.
mesh_terms: D000743:Anemia, Hemolytic / Q000209:etiology*; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D003016:Clostridium perfringens; D003646:Debridement; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D010400:Penicillin G