outbreak of salmonella typhimurium infection in the newborn intensive care unit at Mafraq hospital

An epidemic of salmonella typhimurium infection in the newborn intensive care unit of Mafraq Hospital is reported, 23 cases [10 males and 13 females] occurring in a period of 5 months. The clinical manifestations were mainly loose/watery, mucoid, green stools with or without fever. Organisms were isolated from the blood in 2 cases, and from the stool in 22 cases. No organisms were found in the CSF and urine. A survey was carried out to detect the source of the infection. Among the personnel attached to the Unit, who could have been the source of this epidemic, only one nurse was found to be an asymptomatic carrier of salmonella typhimurium. None of the infant deaths were directly related to the salmonella infection

Prevention of hyperbilirubinemia by needle aspiration of subaponeurotic hemorrhage

Needle aspiration of massive subaponeurotic hemorrhage was performed in two neonates. Both infant's serum bilirubin dropped following the procedure and remained within physiologic range. We believe this approach may be advised in high risk babies in an attempt to avoid exchange transfusion. Severe hemorrhage under epicranial aponeurosis and in the subcutaneous tissue of the scalp by spontaneous as well as vacuum extraction deliveries has been reported frequently. The result of such a hemorrhage is acute anemia and severe hyperbilirubinemia. To our knowledge, needle aspiration of such hemorrhages has not been attempted as a means to prevent hyperbilirubinemia in the neonate. We are presenting here two cases in which an extremely severe subaponeurotic hemorrhage was needle aspirated in an attempt to prevent dangerous hyperbilirubinemia