Clostridium infections in newborns, excluding neonatal tetanus, are rarely reported.1-7 The case described here is of special interest because both the mother and infant had classic, symptomatic Clostridium septicemia and both recovered.
Report of a Case.—A 19-hour-old, 3,080-g, female infant was transferred to North Carolina Memorial Hospital (NCMH) because of jaundice, dark urine, and maternal fever. The infant had been delivered by emergency cesarean section for fetal distress of a 25-year-old, O-positive, primagravida after an uncomplicated term pregnancy. An amniotomy performed 2½ hours prior to delivery had yielded clear fluid. Apgar scores were 6 and 5 at one and five minutes, respectively, after birth. Initial tachypnea and grunting had resolved by 1 hour of age. At 12 hours of age, the infant was jaundiced and passing dark urine. Her total serum bilirubin level was 10 mg/dL (direct bilirubin level, 1.0 mg/dL), and hematocrit value 49%. Cord, throat, stool,