Neonatal infected subgaleal hematoma: an unusual complication of early-onset E. coli sepsis

Subgaleal hematoma (SGH) is an uncommon but potentially lethal medical emergency in newborns. Delay in diagnosis may lead to mortality and morbidity. Infection of an SGH is extremely rare. We report an infected SGH with abscess formation as a complication of early-onset Escherichia coli sepsis in a term neonate. The patient was discovered to have SGH soon after birth. Early-onset E. coli sepsis developed on Day 3 of life. The SGH became infected, with abscess formation 1 week later. The infected SGH was probably due to direct hematogenous spreading of sepsis. The patient was successfully treated without complications. Clinicians should be aware that SGH is a potential site of infection and infection may be caused either by direct hematogenous extension or from traumatic scalp lesions. Appropriate antibiotic treatment and surgical debridement are necessary when an infected SGH occurs.