[Ureaplasma urealyticum respiratory infection in newborn infants]

The neonatal respiratory infection by Ureaplasma urealyticum is rare, but it could represent a major risk for the newborn infants.

A term newborn infant presented an early respiratory distress with persistent pulmonary hypertension, requiring artificial ventilation and inhaled nitric oxide therapy. Tracheal aspirates were positive for Ureaplasma urealyticum, although his mother was not contamined. A preterm newborn infant (gestational age: 33 weeks) presented a severe respiratory distress, requiring mechanical ventilation. The tracheal aspirates we positive for Ureaplasma urealyticum, as well as his mother's cervico-vaginal swab. Both recovered thanks to antibiotics (intravenous macrolid during ten days). The outcome was favorable for both babies.

Neonatal infection due to Ureaplasma is serious. The clinical diagnosis is difficult, recalling group B streptococcal infection. Clinical aggravation, despite antibiotics associated with negative bacteriological standard detection, leads one to evoke this diagnosis and perform specific bacteriological cultures.