CAMPYLOBACTER-JEJUNI ENTEROCOLITIS IN NEONATES

Campylobacter jejuni is one of the leading bacterial pathogens causing acute gastroenteritis in children. Only a few cases have been described in the world literature about neonatal enterocolitis due to campylobacter and none from Saudi Arabia. We describe six cases of neonatal enterocolitis due to this organism isolated during the period from September 1989 - January 1991 at Suleimania Children's Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All of the patients presented with diarrhea; duration ranging from 1-20 days. Three patients had blood and two had mucus in their stool. In contrast to the findings of other investigators, five neonates presented with fever. One neonate was treated with erythromycin, another received augmentin, and two received other antibiotics because of suspected sepsis. In one patient, previous antibiotics were discontinued and erythromycin was added and two received no antibiotics. Campylobacter infection should be suspected in any neonate presenting with diarrhea accompanied by mucus and blood in the stool.