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Updated: May 22, 2026

Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus
Published on: March 6, 2019
Monolateral suppurative parotitis in a neonate and review of literature
Lidia Decembrino1, Giulia Ruffinazzi, Fabio Russo
1Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy. lidiadec@alice.it
Objectives:
Neonatal suppurative parotitis is a rare condition characterized by swelling, pain, and erythema over the affected gland. Antimicrobials and adequate hydration are an essential part of treatment. Surgical intervention is reserved for organized abscesses and for infections not responding to medical management.
Methods:
A case report and review of the literature.
Results:
Only few case reports and case series are reported in literature on neonatal parotitis. Transmission of bacteria seems to occur mainly by ascending spread through Stensen's duct, or by hematogenous spread from a distant focus. Dehydration, low birth weight, immune suppression, ductal obstruction, oral trauma and structural abnormalities of the parotid gland are recognised as risk factors. The most common pathogen is Staphylococcus aureus. Other less frequent agents are other Gram-positive cocci, Gram-negative bacilli and rarely anaerobic bacteria. Advances in antimicrobial therapy have improved both outcome and prognosis.
Conclusions:
Thanks to the prompt antibiotic treatment complications are now drastically reduced. Ultrasound examination may help in the diagnosis and monitoring of clinical course.
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