A case of Adenovirus Infection in the Neonate

ABSTRACT

Adenovirus is an important etiologic agent in the pediatric population with fever and respiratory disease, but in newborn period, it has been known rarely to cause illness. But, its tendency of dissemination in immunocompromized host makes the neonate a high risk group of severe adenoviral infection. A newborn girl who presented with pneumonia, pulmonary hemorrhage, hepatitis, and disseminated intravascular coagulation continued to deteriorate in spite of the antibiotic therapy and maximal ventilatory support. The autopsy revealed adenoviral infection in the lung by electron microscopy. Adenoviral infection should be also suspected when a newborn infant has pneumonia, hepatitis, neurologic symptoms, and disseminated intravascular coagulation and especially his or her bacterial culture results are negative.