pediatrics
Neonatal Listeriosis
Key Points
Infection may be acquired in utero or during delivery, and clinical manifestations may appear within hours or days of birth (early onset) or may be delayed up to several weeks (delayed onset). Early-onset listeriosis manifests soon after birth as sepsis with circulatory insufficiency, respiratory insufficiency, or both. In delayed-onset listeriosis, full-term, previously healthy neonates present with meningitis or sepsis. Do cultures or polymerase chain reaction testing forL. monocytogeneson pregnant women with unexplained febrile illness and on sick neonates. Treat withampicillinplus an aminoglycoside. Pregnant women should avoid food products that may be contaminated byL. monocytogenes. 