KLEBSIELLA SEPTICEMIA, OSTEOMYELITIS AND SEPTIC ARTHRITIS IN NEONATESIN IBADAN, NIGERIA

An outbreak of skeletal infections associated with neonatal Klebsiella septicaemia seen over a 6-month period at the Special Care Baby Unit, University College Hospital, Ibadan is reported. It involved 12 neona tes, and the significant antecedent events included perinatal asphyxia , fetal distress and prolonged rupture of membranes. All the babies ha d septic arthritis and ten cases had osteomyelitis in addition: multip le joint involvement occurred in 50% of cases. All the babies exhibite d severe systemic disturbance and the Klebsiella isolated demonstrated multiple antibiotic resistance. The epidemic coincided with a period of severe water shortage which affected the hospital. The probable nos ocomial acquisition of the infection is highlighted.