Solitary hepatic abscess with associated glomerulonephritis in a neonate

A full-term neonate with a history of umbilical venous catheterization followed by coagulase-negative staphylococcal sepsis is presented. The infant developed a solitary hepatic abscess with saprophytic organisms. Her liver abscess resulted in acute glomerulonephritis characterized by hypertension, proteinuria, oliguria, and azotemia. Surgical drainage and antibiotic treatment of the abscess was associated with resolution of the glomerulonephritis. Glomerulonephritis due to solitary liver abscess in a neonate has not been reported previously. Acute onset of glomerulonephritis should prompt a search for occult sources of infection.