INTRACEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE IN A NEONATE SECONDARY TO STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE: A Case Report

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Streptococcus pneumoniae are gram-positive, lancet-shaped, polysaccharide-encapsulated diplococcus. It frequently colonizes the upper respiratory tract and may cause infection or invasive disease. It has a high morbidity in children, especially when related with the respiratory tract. The most severe complication of pneumococcal infection is invasive pneumococcal disease, either as sepsis or meningitis. With the decline of invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b disease, S. Pneumoniae has become the leading cause of bacterial meningitis among children younger than 5 years of age. Streptococcal infection in the neonate is relatively an unusual event (1-11% of neonatal sepsis) but is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Pneumococcal sepsis in neonate may have an early or late onset. The transmission of the germ may happen via the ascending route or during passage through the birth canal. We present a case report of a neonate who was born with severe neonatal infection due to Streptococcus pneumoniae complicated by intracerebral hemorrhage. There are very few case reports of this illness in neonates. Although it is a rare occurrence in neonates, it can be potentially fatal. Setting of maternal vaccination programs could prevent this neonatal infection.

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Streptococcus pneumoniae , meningitis , newborn , cerebral hemorrhage , pneumococcal vaccines

Lebanese Medical Journal

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Lebanese Medical Journal