Sepsis in a Newborn Due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa from a Contaminated Tub Bath

Abstract

To the Editor: During labor at term, a 23-year-old woman took a 30-minute tub bath for relaxation in the morning, in water with a temperature of 37°C. She gave birth to a 3170-g boy later that day. Mother and child left the clinic three days later. At day 11, the infant had poor suckling, lethargy, and seizures. Meningitis with bacteremia was diagnosed by the isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from cerebrospinal fluid, blood, and a conjunctival swab. In spite of immediate antipseudomonal chemotherapy (ampicillin, cefotaxime, and gentamicin), acute hydrocephalus developed. Ventriculostomy with external drainage and a ventriculoperitoneal shunt were required. Over . . .