Haemophilus parainfluenzae Sepsis in a Very Low Birth Weight Premature Infant: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Haemophilus parainfluenzae is an unusual cause of invasive bacterial disease and is particularly uncommon as a reported etiology of neonatal sepsis in current large published series. We describe a seriously ill, very low birth weight (VLBW) infant with documented early onset sepsis caused by H. parainfluenzae. We compare our case with those published previously and contrast the clinical presentation of infection in our patient to that of common bacterial pathogens causing neonatal sepsis. Our review suggests many common factors in the pathogenesis of early onset infection by H. parainfluenzae.