Introduction
THE Fusobacterium species, although normal inhabitants of the intestinal tract, occasionally give rise to blood-stream infections. An example of a fairly rare occurrence in the neonatal period is reported.
Report of a Case
A male infant had been born after a short, uncomplicated delivery on Sept 11, 1964. He weighed 7 lb 6½ oz (3.36 kg), was pronounced healthy on the initial examination, and seemed to thrive for the first two days. At the age of 48 hours, he began to have several very foul-smelling watery stools and his general condition deteriorated with rapidity. He sucked poorly, his cry became weak, and his respiration rate rose to 60 per minute. When seen by one of us (M. R.) three hours after the onset of symptoms, he appeared seriously ill. Gas and malodorous watery stools containing blood and mucus were forcefully expelled in rapid succession. He had lost 12½ oz