BILATERAL SUPPURATIVE PAROTITIS IN A NEW NEWBORN

Neonatal suppurative parotitis is a rare condition. Early diagnosis is essential to improve prognosis in these cases. We describe a ten-day-old preterm breastfed girl who developed bilateral suppurative parotitis. She was admitted to the hospital with general malaise, weight loss and bilateral preauricular swelling. Purulent drainage from both Stenon ducts into the mouth confirmed the diagnosis. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the purulent exudate and blood. Furthermore, Staphylococcus aureus was also found at the breast milk and, consequently, the mother was considered to be the source of the infection. Empiric antibiotic therapy was started with intravenous ampicilin and gentamicin. It was later changed to flucloxacilin, according to the antibiotic resistance profile. There were no complications or recurrences. Although rare, neonatal suppurative parotitis should be suspected in newborns presenting with parotid swelling, in order to provide early treatment and prevent complications.