We report an unusual case of a neonate with aphonia due to epiglottitis with a concomitant methicillin-resistant S taphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection of the genitalia and associated septic emboli to the groin area and mouth. We postulate that the MRSA infection caused a transient bacteremia that seeded the epiglottis, likely causing the epiglottitis. In the evaluation of a neonate with aphonia, while the two primary differentials to consider are vocal cord paralysis and laryngeal web, among other considerations is epiglottitis (supraglottitis).
Keywords: Aphonia; Panton–Valentine leukocidin; bronchoscopy; deep venous thrombosis; epiglottitis; methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; neonate; supraglottitis.