[Pneumococci: a new microorganism in the newborn?].
OBJECTIVE
To study the clinical characteristics and susceptibility to antimicrobial agents of Streptococcus pneumoniae invasive infection in our neonatal unit.


METHODS
Data from newborns with Streptococcus pneumoniae invasive infection in the last 12 years were retrospectively collected.


RESULTS
Eight cases of invasive infection were identified. Gestational age ranged from 30 to 38 weeks (median: 34 weeks) and birth weight ranged from 1,680g to 4,460g (median: 2,480g). Risk factors related to infection were identified in 7 patients. Although infection manifested as shock in 4 patients and meningitis in 1, evolution was favorable in all patients. Penicillin resistance was found in 3 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Streptococcus pneumoniae produces serious disease in neonates. Because of the increasing prevalence of penicillin-resistant pneumococci, the relationship between the percentage of mothers colonized with pneumococci and neonatal infection should be determined to develop new prevention and treatment strategies in newborn infants.
de Alba Romero
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C
Servicio de Neonatología Hospital 12de Octubre, Madrid. calba@hdoc.insalud.es
Ramos Amador
J T
JT
Gómez Del Castillo
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E
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification