Suppuration of the submandibular salivary glands in the neonate

Suppurative sialadenitis is rare in the neonate and usually involves the parotid glands. Two cases are reported of suppuration of the submandibular gland in the newborn. Diagnosis was made by clinical signs of infection, appearance of a unilateral, erythematous submandibular mass, and expression of pus from the orifice of Wharton duct under the tip of the tongue. Gram stain, culture, and antibiotic sensitivity studies were done on the purulent material. Staphylococcus aureus grew in both cases and was sensitive to treatment with methicillin sodium. This report discusses the management of these cases, with speculation about the possible cause. To my knowledge, these are the only two cases found in the literature of suppurative submandibular sialadenitis occuring as an isolated lesion in the neonatal period.