Neonatal listeriosis

C. E. Ahlfors, B. W. Goetzman, C. C. Halsted, M. P. Sherman and R. P. Wennberg

Five cases of neonatal listeriosis were diagnosed and treated in a 13-month period. Maternal fever and "greenish discoloration" or meconium staining of amniotic fluid complicated all deliveries. Amniotic membranes were intact until artificial rupture shortly before delivery. One infant, with the "granulomatous" form of the disease, died. Four infants required mechanical ventilation. Two survivors with pneumonia, who required mechanical ventilation and 100% inspired oxygen for persistent hypoxemia, responded to tolazoline hydrochloride therapy. Early institution of antibiotics and aggressive ventilatory and pharmacological support were considered to be important factors in survival.