Intrauterine fetal death caused by Haemophilus influenzae infection: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Haemophilus influenzae is a rare cause of intrauterine infection, with the potential to cause severe morbidity and mortality in the perinate.


METHODS
An 18-year-old primigravida presented at 32 weeks' gestation with sudden-onset abdominal pain and abrupt cessation of fetal movements. Intrauterine fetal death was confirmed. At necropsy the fetus had multiorgan hemorrhage. H influenzae was cultured from the amniotic membranes and ear canal fluid. The mother was readmitted on postpartum day 2 with fever. Her blood cultures were also positive for H influenzae.


CONCLUSIONS
H influenzae may cause ascending fetal infection and death and may cause maternal sepsis by fetomaternal transmission.
Horvath
Balazs
B
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University Downtown Hospital, 170 William Street, New York, NY 10038, USA.
Yang
Mingxue
M
Manning
Frank A
FA
D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000821:virology; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third