Mammary staphylococcal cellulitis of the newborn.

Background. Neonatal cellulitis is usually caused by staphylococcal infecti on of the mammary gland which has generally reached the stage of abscess fo rmation at the time of diagnosis. The circumstances of onset and possible c omplications remain poorly known. We report a recent case. Case report. A female neonate developed major bilateral mammary hypertrophy . Her mother had tried to express the breasts, fearing "congestion". Three days later, the right breast showed signs of inflammation with a fluctuant central zone suggestive of a cellulitic infectious abscess confirmed at ult rasound. Recovery was achieved with incision and antistaphylococci antibiot ic therapy. Discussion. Mammary cellulitis of the newborn appears to generally occur fo llowing an attempt to manipulate a pre-existing physiological hypertrophy o f the breast. Staphylococcus aureus is the most commonly found agent. Early surgical care is generally required as there is a real risk of progression to necrotizing faciitis.