Neonatal sepsis and meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis: a case report

Authors

  • Mário Cícero Falcão Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Hospital das Clínicas; Instituto da Criança
  • Samantha Brasil de Andrade Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Hospital das Clínicas; Instituto da Criança
  • Maria Esther Jurfest Rivero Ceccon Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Hospital das Clínicas; Instituto da Criança
  • Flávio Adolfo Costa Vaz Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Departamento de Pediatria

Keywords:

Meningitis, Sepsis, Neisseria meningitidis, Infant, Newborn

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To report a full-term newborn infant that developed a sepsis associated to meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C on the 14th day of life. CASE DESCRIPTION: The patient was a term female infant, born to a mother with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, with birth weight of 2,610g, Apgar Score 1, 4 and 8, who needed mechanical ventilation for 24 hours. On the 7th day of life, the neonate was discharged from the hospital with good overall condition. On the 15th day of life, the newborn infant presented fever and respiratory failure. The cerebrospinal fluid showed 1042 cells/mm³, with neutrophilic predominance, protein of 435 mg/dL, and glucose < 10 mg/dL. The blood and the cerebrospinal fluid cultures were positive for Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C. The neonate was hospitalized, needing mechanical ventilation and vasoactive drugs, and received 21 days of crystalline penicillin. After hospital discharge, there were no signs of neurological sequels and the infant was able to be breastfed. The case report presents a unique situation: an uncommon etiology of neonatal meningitis and favorable evolution, despite neurological sequels reported in the literature. This report emphasizes the need to prevent the premature exposure of newborn infants to pathological agents, especially if they presented birth injuries and/or are preterm, due to their lack of immunological capacity.

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Published

2007-06-01

Issue

Section

Case Report

How to Cite

Falcão, M. C., Andrade, S. B. de, Ceccon, M. E. J. R., & Vaz, F. A. C. (2007). Neonatal sepsis and meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis: a case report . Revista Do Instituto De Medicina Tropical De São Paulo, 49(3), 191-194. https://revistas.usp.br/rimtsp/article/view/31088