Clostridia infection in the newborn

With the exception of neonatal tetanus, infections due to clostridia in the newborn are rare. Although these organisms are normally found in the female genital tract,1 exposure to such anerobes during delivery does not commonly appear to lead to neonatal colonization.2 Occasionally, however, the newborn is colonized and may become infected. Usually there are additional underlying factors which may be contributory, such as exchange transfusion3 or abdominal surgery,4 but infants have been reported with primary omphalitis or sepsis due to clostridia.3,5 We recently cared for an infant with omphalitis due to clostridia. This entity may need more emphasis, since it is potentially treatable and, therefore, is reported.