The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
2013 , Vol 55 , Num 4
Prematurity due to Maternal Brucella Infection and Review of the Literature
Divisions of 1Neonatology and 2Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Dr. Sami Ulus Maternity and Children’s Health and Diseases
Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. E-mail: serbeken@gmail.com
Brucellosis is a zoonosis caused by ingestion of unpasteurized milk or other
dairy products from infected animals or through close contact with their
secretions. Human-to-human transmission, which is rare, has been reported in
association with blood transfusion, bone marrow transplantation, transplacental
or perinatal exposure, and breastfeeding. In the neonatal period, congenital
brucellosis, which is an extremely rare condition, can lead to serious clinical
consequences with a high morbidity and mortality rate. The case presented
here is a premature baby born at 25 weeks’ gestation to a mother suffering
from severe oligohydramnios, premature rupture of membranes and untreated
acute brucellosis. The baby had severe respiratory distress and radiological
findings compatible with pulmonary infection. The blood cultures of the baby
and the mother were positive for Brucella melitensis, supporting the diagnosis
of brucellosis with presumed transplacental transmission.
Keywords :
brucellosis, transplacental, congenital, oligohydramnios.