Mycoplasma hominis scalp abscess in the newborn

Scalp abscess in the newborn is usually a complication of fetal scalp monitoring and is typically polymicrobial, reflecting maternal vaginal flora. We present a newborn with no apparent scalp trauma who developed scalp abscess that yielded pure growth of Mycoplasma hominis. The clue to diagnosis was the growth of pinpoint translucent colonies on blood agar that were Gram stain-negative. Abscess drainage and systemic clindamycin were curative.