Neonatal Retropharyngeal Cellulitis Due to Group B Streptococcus

Abstract

Two neonates who presented with histories of poor feeding, irritability and noisy breathing had group B streptococcal (GBS) bacteremia and retropharyngeal cellulitis. One infant also had submandibular cellulitis. Retropharyngeal cellulitis has not been recognized as a manifestation of GBS disease. Evaluation of the upper airway should be part of the workup of any sick infant with noisy breathing and/or grunting. Retropharyngeal tissue enlargement may be an early indicator of GBS disease.

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