A case of facial cellulitis caused by group B streptococcus in an extremely low birthweight infant

Abstract

Group B streptococcus (GBS) is an important pathogen that causes neonatal sepsis and meningitis, which have high mortality and morbidity. Cellulitis is a rare presentation of late-onset neonatal GBS infection. We report the case of an extremely low birthweight infant with facial cellulitis caused by late-onset GBS infection. A 590-g male neonate was delivered by Cesarean section at 23 gestational weeks due to intrauterine GBS infection. Although he was effectively treated with 2 weeks of antimicrobial therapy for early-onset GBS sepsis, he subsequently developed facial and submandibular cellulitis caused by GBS at 44 days of age. He was treated with debridement and antibiotic therapy, and after 2 months his facial involvement had improved, but cosmetic issues remained. Neonatal GBS infection requires a prompt sepsis workup followed by the initiation of empiric antibiotic therapy. Additionally, lifesaving surgical debridement is sometimes necessary for cellulitis, even in premature infants.

Keywords: Cellulitis; Extremely low birthweight infant; Group B streptococcus; Late-onset GBS infection.