[Mammary staphylococcal cellulitis of the newborn]

Neonatal cellulitis is usually caused by staphylococcal infection of the mammary gland which has generally reached the stage of abscess formation at the time of diagnosis. The circumstances of onset and possible complications remain poorly known. We report a recent case.

A female neonate developed major bilateral mammary hypertrophy. Her mother had tried to express the breasts, fearing "congestion". Three days later, the right breast showed signs of inflammation with a fluctuant central zone suggestive of a cellulitic infectious abscess confirmed at ultrasound. Recovery was achieved with incision and antistaphylococci antibiotic therapy.

Mammary cellulitis of the newborn appears to generally occur following an attempt to manipulate a pre-existing physiological hypertrophy of the breast. Staphylococcus aureus is the most commonly found agent. Early surgical care is generally required as there is a real risk of progression to necrotizing faciitis.